World · North America · 3 hrs ago
DNA identifies former Chicago detective as killer in 1960 child murder
Chicago police identified former detective Thomas McInerney as the killer of eight-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz, who was murdered in 1960.
Gloria disappeared while walking to church from her family’s home in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood, and her body was found in a ditch at a forest preserve.
A large search and interviews with about 1,300 people did not identify a suspect at the time.
McInerney, who lived around the corner from Gloria, joined the Chicago police force in 1959 and later worked as a homicide investigator.
DNA evidence from a family tree website led investigators to McInerney in 2026, and further DNA, fingerprint and ballistic testing linked him to the crime.
McInerney died in 2006 without being held accountable, and Gloria’s parents died without learning who killed their daughter.
Police said they hope the identification brings some closure to those who knew Gloria and her story.
Chicago police identified former homicide detective Thomas McInerney as the killer of eight-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz, who was murdered in 1960.
Newly discovered DNA evidence, along with fingerprint and ballistic testing, linked McInerney to the killing.
McInerney had died 20 years before authorities named him.
Kowalewicz was abducted while walking to church in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood and found dead in a ditch at a forest preserve.
Police said her parents died without learning who had killed their daughter.
- Who
- Thomas McInerney, a former Chicago homicide detective, was identified as the killer of Gloria Kowalewicz.
- What
- DNA, fingerprint and ballistic evidence linked him to the 1960 murder of the eight-year-old girl.
- When
- Kowalewicz was killed in 1960. Authorities identified McInerney in 2026.
- Where
- Kowalewicz was abducted in Chicago’s West Englewood neighborhood and found at a forest preserve south-west of the city.
- Why
- Not stated
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Gloria Kowalewicz was last seen walking from her West Englewood home to a nearby church.
McInerney’s obituary was published after his death.
DNA submitted to a family tree website enabled the FBI to link McInerney to the murder scene, according to the Chicago Tribune.
Chicago police announced that DNA, fingerprint and ballistic testing identified McInerney as Kowalewicz’s killer.
- Victim
- Gloria Kowalewicz, age 8
- Killer identified
- Thomas McInerney, former Chicago homicide detective
- Murder year
- 1960
- Last seen
- 12 November 1960, in West Englewood, Chicago
- McInerney died
- 30 August 2006
- Evidence
- DNA, fingerprint and ballistic testing
What people are saying
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.
Sources
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