Ex-Chicago Detective Identified in 65-Year Cold Case Murder 2026

In a stunning revelation, Chicago police have identified a former detective as the killer in a 65-year-old cold case murder. Thomas McInerney, who died in 2005, was linked to the 1960 murder of eight-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz through newly discovered DNA evidence. The case, which had remained unsolved for decades, was cracked using genetic genealogy techniques similar to those used in other high-profile cold cases.

How DNA Evidence Solved the 1960 Cold Case

The breakthrough came from DNA evidence gathered from a genetic ancestry website, according to the Chicago Tribune. Investigators compared DNA from the crime scene to online databases, eventually narrowing down the suspect to McInerney. This method, known as genetic genealogy, has revolutionized cold case investigations by allowing law enforcement to identify suspects through familial DNA matches.

Gloria Kowalewicz was last seen alive on the morning of November 12, 1960, as she walked from her home in the West Englewood neighborhood to a nearby church for mass. She never arrived. Someone abducted her, fatally shot her, and within hours her body was found discarded in a ditch at a forest preserve. The crime shocked the city and remained unsolved for over six decades.

Who Was Thomas McInerney?

Thomas McInerney was a former homicide detective with the Chicago Police Department (CPD). After retiring from the CPD, he worked as an investigator for two federal public defender's offices in Nevada. He had been dead for 20 years by the time authorities publicly identified him as Gloria's killer.

The CPD issued a statement expressing hope that the news "brings a measure of closure to all who knew Gloria and her story." The statement also acknowledged the gravity of the situation: "McInerney should have never worn the CPD star. And it is devastating to accept that he was never identified and held accountable while he was alive."

The Role of Genetic Genealogy in Cold Cases

Genetic genealogy has become a powerful tool in solving cold cases. By uploading DNA profiles to public databases like GEDmatch, investigators can find distant relatives of suspects and build family trees to identify the perpetrator. This technique was famously used to capture the Golden State Killer in 2018 and has since been applied to numerous other cold cases.

In Gloria's case, the DNA evidence was crucial. Without it, the case might have remained unsolved forever. The use of this technology highlights how advancements in science can bring justice, even decades later.

Comparison of Cold Case Solving Methods

Key Takeaways

• DNA evidence from a genetic ancestry website led to the identification of Thomas McInerney as Gloria Kowalewicz's killer.
• McInerney was a former Chicago homicide detective who died in 2005.
• The case remained unsolved for 65 years until genetic genealogy provided the breakthrough.
• The CPD expressed hope that the identification brings closure to Gloria's family.
• Genetic genealogy continues to be a vital tool in solving cold cases nationwide.

FAQ