HAZLETON, Pa. — Investigators say they've cracked a 57-year-old cold case in Hazleton
It was back in March of 1964 that 9-year-old Marise Chiverella was raped and murdered.
Her killer was never found.
Since 2007, state police say they have checked the killer's DNA profile monthly against all new entries into DNA databases.
In 2018, technology was used to generate a "snapshot pheno-type" facial prediction of the suspect from his DNA, and several images of the potential suspect were created.
Now, 57 years after Chiverella's murder, troopers say they have identified a suspect.
State police will hold a news conference Thursday to provide more information on the cold case in Hazleton.
TIMELINE:
- On March 18, 1964, at 8 a.m., Marise left her home near 6th Street in Hazleton and was last seen walking east on West 4th Street at 8:10 a.m.
- At approximately 1 p.m. that same day, her body was discovered in a strip-mining pit just north of Route 309 in Hazle Township, close to the Hazleton Airport. The investigation revealed Marise was physically and sexually assaulted, murdered, and left at the scene with all her clothing and personal belongings.
- In 2007, numerous specimens collected from the victim's body and clothing were submitted to the Pennsylvania State Police laboratory and a suspect DNA profile was developed, however, this profile has not matched any profile in the national DNA database of known offenders (CODIS).
- In 2018, technology was used to generate a "snapshot pheno-type" facial prediction of the suspect from his DNA. The photos show the suspect as he may look at age 25, age 40, and at age 60. This information was released to generate public interest and garner leads in this case.