DNA breakthrough identifies former Chicago homicide detective as 1960 child killer

Key points

• Gloria Kowalewicz was abducted on November 12, 1960, while walking to church in West Englewood, and her body was found in a forest preserve in Palos Park.
• The Chicago Police Department used DNA from a family tree website and a fingerprint from Gloria's purse to link the crime to Thomas F. McInerney.
• McInerney was a 24-year-old police officer at the time of the murder and later worked as a federal public defender investigator in Nevada.
• McInerney died in 2006 at age 70, meaning he never faced legal consequences for the killing.
• Gloria's brother, Adam Kowalewicz, expressed relief at the identification but frustration that the killer escaped justice.

Background

This case is part of a broader trend in using forensic genetic genealogy to solve decades-old cold cases. Similar breakthroughs have occurred in other jurisdictions, including the identification of a suspect in a 1993 Maryland child murder and the resolution of a 1965 Oregon disappearance. The use of DNA from ancestry websites has become a critical tool for law enforcement in cases where traditional investigative methods have failed.

How outlets are covering it

The Chicago Police Department emphasized the emotional toll on Gloria's family and the integrity of the profession, stating that McInerney 'should have never worn the CPD star.' The Chicago Tribune provided detailed historical context, highlighting the massive initial search effort involving firefighters and Boy Scouts. CBS News focused on the forensic process, noting the collaboration between CPD, Illinois State Police, and the FBI. The New York Post highlighted the irony of a police officer being the killer, framing it as a betrayal of public trust. All outlets agreed on the core facts but differed in emphasis: CPD focused on closure, the Tribune on historical detail, CBS on forensic methodology, and the Post on institutional failure.

Why it matters

This case demonstrates the enduring power of forensic technology to resolve long-standing mysteries, even when suspects have died. It also raises questions about accountability and the integrity of law enforcement institutions when a member is identified as a perpetrator. The case provides closure for the Kowalewicz family and serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving evidence for future investigative advances.

What to watch

There are no further legal proceedings expected, as McInerney is deceased. The Chicago Police Department has closed the case, and the focus now shifts to honoring Gloria's memory and supporting the family. The case may also prompt reviews of historical evidence storage and forensic protocols in other jurisdictions.