ALLENTOWN, Pa. (AP) — A man has been arrested and charged with killing a 78-year-old woman in her eastern Pennsylvania home more than 35 years ago, authorities
by Associated Press ALLENTOWN , Pa. — A man has been arrested and charged with killing a 78-year-old woman in her eastern Pennsylvania home more than 35 years ago, authorities announced Thursday.
Rose Josephine Hnath tried to fend off her attacker but was found stabbed and beaten to death in her home in North Whitehall Township, outside Allentown. Her homicide remained unsolved for decades until advances in DNA technology helped investigators connect the defendant to the crime, said Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin P. Holihan.
Michael Breisch, 65, of Wind Gap, Pennsylvania, was arrested in Coshocton County, Ohio, and was charged in Pennsylvania with homicide, robbery and other counts, Holihan said. Breisch was extradited to Lehigh County, where he was jailed without bail. It wasn't clear if Breisch has an attorney. The public defender's office said Thursday it has not yet been asked to represent him. A phone message was left at a number associated with Breisch.
Authorities said Hnath was a widow who lived alone in a house along the Lehigh River. When she missed church services, her family went to the home and discovered her body on Jan. 21, 1989. The home had been ransacked.“The evidence collected at the crime scene and maintained over the years was reviewed and re-tested as science and technology advanced.
Homicide DNA Technology 1989 Allentown Michael Breisch Arrested Lehigh County
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Man arrested in 1989 killing of 78-year-old Pennsylvania woman who fought her attackerA man has been arrested and charged with killing a 78-year-old woman in her eastern Pennsylvania home more than 35 years ago. Authorities say Rose Josephine Hnath tried to fend off her attacker but was found stabbed and beaten to death in her home in North Whitehall Township, outside Allentown, in January 1989.
Read more »
Michael Breisch charged with 1989 murder of Rose Hnath in PennsylvaniaThe Lehigh County District Attorney announced charges against Michael Breisch, 65, for the murder of 78-year-old widow Rose Hnath in 1989 outside Allentown, Pennsylvania.
Read more »
Man charged in 1989 cold case murder of woman, 78, in the Lehigh ValleyMichael Breisch, 65, was arrested and charged with murdering Rose Hnath, 78, on Jan. 21, 1989, in North Whitehall Township, Pa.
Read more »
'Chimney Doe,' skeletal remains found in pipe of Wisconsin music store in 1989, finally identifiedDoha Madani is a senior breaking news reporter for NBC News. Pronouns: she/her.
Read more »
Genetic genealogy IDs suspect at large in 1989 rapes that 'haunted' community for decades: DAHe's used aliases including: Stephen Pisarcik, John Rossi, Paul Costa, Paul DeRosa, Paul DiCarli, Paul Joseph DeCarlo, Steve Miner, Paul Williams and Paul Ptaszynski, according to prosecutors.
Read more »
Genetic genealogy IDs suspect at large in 1989 rapes that 'haunted' community for decades: DAHe's used aliases including: Stephen Pisarcik, John Rossi, Paul Costa, Paul DeRosa, Paul DiCarli, Paul Joseph DeCarlo, Steve Miner, Paul Williams and Paul Ptaszynski, according to prosecutors.
Read more »