Police in Colorado believe they have solved a nearly 50-year-old cold case involving a babysitter who was brutally murdered. Fox 21 reports.
Fox 21 reports that the Colorado Springs Police Department revealed they had identified the likely person responsible for the death of 14-year-old Maria Honzell, who was found dead with stab wounds on February 7, 1977.
On February 7, 1977, police were called to an apartment complex in Colorado Springs for a report of a possible suicide. However, they found Honzell with stab wounds on her neck and chest, and her death was later determined to be a homicide.
Honzell, who was babysitting for a neighbor, was found dead in a bedroom when the mother arrived home, despite earlier assurance from Honzell that everything was okay.
The neighbor’s two children were unharmed.
For decades, investigators struggled to identify a suspect until advancements in DNA technology allowed for better analysis of blood found on Honzell’s clothing. In 2019, authorities compared the DNA to records in commercial genealogy databases.
This led police to focus on William Charles Kernan, Jr., a college student at the time Honzell was killed, who was familiar with her and had visited the apartment complex in the past.
Although Kernan died in 2010 and his DNA could not be analyzed due to his cremation and lack of living relatives, police believe he was responsible for Honzell’s murder.
According to a press release, the Colorado Springs Police Department stated: 'The family and friends of Maria Honzell have waited over 47 years to get justice for Maria.' wrote in a press release:. “Through years of analysis and investigation, CSPD is proud to provide answers to Maria’s loved ones finally.
[Feature Photo: Maria Honzell/Colorado Springs Police Department]