Need Some Help with a Cold Case -- Betsy Aardsma

[littlehorn]

Hi all,

Need some help with a cold case I am digging into. Betsy Aardsma was a 22-year-old grad student at Penn State University who was murdered in the library the day after Thanksgiving, 1969.

I and several others who have researched the case have reason to believe the killer or killer(s) still live in the Centre County area. I've created a website to try to generate new leads in the case.

www.whokilledbetsy.com

I'm open to any theories anyone might have after reading up on my site about the case, and I'm also looking for any former LE/investigator perspectives on how to generate some names that could be further investigated in a case this old.

Regards,

Derek

[SaraSidle]

littlehorn I am sure wondering if it happened in Ann Arbor if it is related to the serial kill John Norman Collins who was in the area at the time.

[littlehorn]

Sara,

Actually, it happened in State College, PA. She was FROM Holland Michigan and had graduated from U of M in Ann Arbor and came to PSU to pursue a graduate degree in English.

Police did visit Ann Arbor to see if the at the time unsolved John Norman Collins cases were related, but they weren't...

Regards,

Derek

[SaraSidle]

I am sorry Derek. THought I could help since I lived in Ann Arbor.

[littlehorn]

I appreciate the offer of help! Thanks for replying. It's very weird that she left Ann Arbor in the midst of a serial-killing spree and ended up being murdered in State College.

Regards,

Derek

[littlehorn]

Just bumping this up in hopes of getting some new insight.

Anyone know anyone from the State College area that was there in '69.

Derek

[SaraSidle]

BUMP:rose:

[walton]

I haven't read all the links provided... yet. But what items were found on or near Betsy?

[SaraSidle]

Nothing that I know of Walton. She was just stabbed in the chest and had a red shirt on so no one even knew right away. what got me is the first portrait shown is John Norman Collins but apparently he has been ruled out. IMO

[walton]

I read the links from top to bottom. No mention of anything found with her or on her.

On some of those newspaper links there are stories continued on other pages but there is no connection to those other pages. Two people came forward with info but I didn't catch what they said as it was continued...

http://www.statecollegemagazine.com/home_pages/Betsy/aardsma.html Interesting article. I liked it.

Do you know off hand what her parents did for a living? And do you have a copy of the poem she wrote?

[SaraSidle]

all I know is what you know walton. She leaves in Ann Arbor Mi where there is a serial killer on the loose and goes to PA to be murdered. I think the thread starter has more info if you pm him. imo

[littlehorn]

Sorry, don't get to check this thread very often.

Nothing was found with Betsy or on her...The only things in the aisle were the books she knocked down as she fell.

At her graduate study carel on Level 3, a student found her white outer jacket, a book about Africa (one of her interests) and her purse.

[Vera]

Since Betsy's profile, lifestyle, habits don't appear to place her as being in a targeted position, perhaps the likely scenario is what truly occurred:

From your link:

Q: Police originally thought Betsy interrupted a homosexual or exhibitionist act, or drug deal taking place. Is this likely?
A: It is possible, and this may be the best theory so far. Evidence found near the scene suggests the possibility.


Had there been any reported scandals, incidents against school officials or their firings or transfers following Betsy's murder?

[littlehorn]

Since Betsy's profile, lifestyle, habits don't appear to place her as being in a targeted position, perhaps the likely scenario is what truly occurred:

From your link:

Q: Police originally thought Betsy interrupted a homosexual or exhibitionist act, or drug deal taking place. Is this likely?
A: It is possible, and this may be the best theory so far. Evidence found near the scene suggests the possibility.


Had there been any reported scandals, incidents against school officials or their firings or transfers following Betsy's murder?

No one was ever directly let go near that time based on anything even remotely close to a homosexual or drug-related reason...Which leads me to believe that she was killed in order to PREVENT that from happening.

[SaraSidle]

What was the evidence found near the scene?

[Vera]

No one was ever directly let go near that time based on anything even remotely close to a homosexual or drug-related reason...Which leads me to believe that she was killed in order to PREVENT that from happening.

I agree with you. Betsy might very well have been killed to silence her, fearing she would report what she came upon. If this is the case, that person would likely continue their behavior and I imagine it would be difficult to keep it secret for so many years. Someone else has to know. I think a thorough investigation of staff, beginning with those holding key positions at that time, might be a good place to start concentrating your efforts.

In my opinion

[SaraSidle]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09298/1008195-298.stm?cmpid=MOSTEMAILEDBOX

[ladybugg1]

http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/09298/1008195-298.stm?cmpid=MOSTEMAILEDBOX

:confused:
It will soon be the Anniversary of her death so maybe somebody will confess? Or know someone who has?

[ladybugg1]

What was the evidence found near the scene?

I bet DNA is on the books she was holding or one that was open?
Also obviously the person who stabbed her
had to be much taller to stab downward.

Also...
who goes around carrying knives like that?
I would say yes it was somebody she told she would be there...
may be a taller female too...
always is not a guy...
like the recent 15 year old girl who killed the 9 year old girl anything is possible
and another thing...
if it were true that Phychics exist [ why haven't they voluntered to solve this case?]
I really do not believe in psychics...
if they really were gifted we would have all criminals caught not have 40 year old cases floating around...:read: