New Developments in 1965 Murder Case

Alice Everhart, just 18 years old and a nursing student from New Jersey, cut her class short one Friday in September to head to New York for her aunt’s funeral. Unfortunately, she never made it.

Dr. Peter Vronsky, a forensic historian who has worked with law enforcement on the case, shared that convicted serial killer Richard Cottingham recently confessed to finding Ms. Everhart in the parking lot of Hackensack Hospital. He allegedly followed her home, knocked on her door, presented a fake police badge, and instructed her to leave her phone number with her father.

It was around 2:30 PM when he entered her house and attacked her.

Years of investigation have ensued from this brutal act. Tragically, her father found her with a knife wound in her neck, and there were signs of struggle throughout the home. Despite the brutal nature of the injuries, Vronsky noted that none were immediately fatal, although she had been bludgeoned to death and suffered multiple cuts.

Ms. Everhart, with her red hair, was not just a student; she also taught Sunday school and was a leader in her nursing class.

The police in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, released this troubling confession recently, alerting Everhart’s family. Police Chief Joseph Dawicki indicated this case has remained the only unsolved murder in the department’s history, dating back decades.

“Alice was a vibrant young nursing student who was taken from our community,” Dawicki said. “We never got to see the great things she was capable of achieving.”

Marianne, a former neighbor who requested anonymity, spoke about life before the murder, describing the neighborhood as a safe, carefree place where children could play outside until dusk. “The incident really upset our parents,” she recounted. “Afterward, things felt eerie, and we avoided passing by her house.”

Cottingham has a history of crimes that diverged from the violent nature of Everhart’s murder, and Vronsky emphasized this case marks a significant departure from his usual methods. Interestingly, over time, Jennifer Weiss, the daughter of one of Cottingham’s earlier victims, managed to build a relationship with him, which ultimately persuaded him to cooperate with authorities. Weiss passed away in 2023.

According to Vronsky, Cottingham acted on impulse without a preferred victim type, making various decisions randomly. Out of the roughly 20 confirmed victims, only about a third were sex workers, while the rest were everyday individuals like Alice.

After inflicting numerous cuts on Everhart’s body—in an attempt to mislead investigators—Cottingham reportedly lost track of his original intentions to leave behind specific clues.

Investigators indicate that Cottingham’s weapon was a rare dagger, once available at a specific venue during the 1964 World’s Fair. During his criminal activity in the ’60s and ’70s, he often transported his victims across county lines, complicating mess detection due to the lack of coordination among law enforcement at the time.

In an unexpected turn, Fair Lawn police investigators Eric Elesiewicz and Detective Brian Lipkema reopened this cold case in 2021. They had persistent engagement with Cottingham, which ultimately led to the recent confession on December 22. Interestingly, this confession came after Cottingham’s health declined significantly, prompting urgent efforts to resolve the case.

Vronsky noted that Cottingham, now 79, has been linked to more than 20 murders and has claimed a total that could be as high as 100 victims. He has a prior criminal history dating back to 1980 when he was first arrested.

Cottingham’s confession gives vital closure to the agonizing uncertainty surrounding Everhart’s tragic fate. Her family now has some answers, but the trauma of losing her remains ever present.

“On behalf of Eberhardt’s family, I want to thank the Fair Lawn Police Department,” said Michael Smith, her nephew. “Your efforts have brought long-awaited peace to our family.”

Ultimately, Vronsky encouraged law enforcement in other jurisdictions to investigate Cottingham further before it’s too late, emphasizing there are still many unsolved cases tied to his activities.