Former Chicago Police Detective Identified as Suspect in 1960 Murder of 8-Year-Old Girl

<p>A former Chicago homicide detective has been identified as the suspect in the murder of an 8-year-old girl who disappeared while walking to church in 1960. Authorities are now examining other cases that may have involved the officer.</p><p>Thomas F. McInerney Jr. joined the Chicago Police Department in 1959, one year before Gloria Kowalewicz was abducted and murdered. He later became a detective investigating violent crimes and remained with the department until his retirement in 1987.</p><p>More than 65 years after the killing, Chicago police confirmed that advances in DNA technology and a preserved fingerprint helped investigators identify McInerney, who died in 2006 at age 70.</p><p>Gloria disappeared on November 12, 1960, after leaving her home shortly before 8 a.m. to attend morning Mass at St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church, located just a few blocks away. Her body was discovered approximately four hours later in a ditch at a forest preserve southwest of Chicago. She had been shot and killed.</p><p>The murder prompted an extensive investigation, with police interviewing over 1,300 individuals and knocking on hundreds of doors. Despite these efforts, the case remained unsolved for decades.</p><p>Investigators preserved evidence from the crime scene and surrounding area, including a bullet, Gloria's coat and shoes, and a white communion purse containing her prayer book. A fingerprint was also recovered from the purse's strap.</p><p>Working with the FBI and Illinois State Police, investigators used modern forensic technology to link DNA and the preserved fingerprint to McInerney, according to the department.</p><p>Chicago police stated, "McInerney should never have worn the CPD star, and it is devastating to accept that he was never identified and held accountable while he was alive."</p><p>The Cook County State's Attorney's Office is working to identify other cases that may have involved McInerney, according to The Associated Press.</p><p>Police noted that Gloria's parents died before learning who killed their daughter, but expressed hope that identifying McInerney would bring some closure to those who knew her.</p><p>McInerney later worked for the Federal Public Defender's Office in Nevada before retiring in 2004. He died two years later without facing charges in Gloria's murder.</p><p>The Associated Press contributed to this report.</p>