The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced that William Schrader was responsible for the rape and murder of 9-year-old Carol Ann Dougherty. On October 22, 1962, Carol Ann was strangled to death while heading to the library at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church in Bristol. District Attorney Jennifer Schorn described the case as the only known instance in the United States of a young girl being killed in a church.

Schrader’s History and Investigation Details

Schrader died in 2002; however, investigators were able to definitively link him to the murder through “decades of evidence and recent developments.”

At the time of the crime, Schrader lived near the church, was seen by a witness, and was questioned by police. He failed a lie detector test and lied to investigators.

The District Attorney noted that Schrader had a history of violence and sexual abuse against young and adolescent girls and had attacked nearly every girl he could access.

DNA Evidence and New Developments

Years later, a pubic hair collected from the scene showed “significant similarities” to hairs found on Carol Ann. During the investigation, 141 pubic hairs were tested, and all other individuals were excluded.

A turning point in the case came last year during an interview with Schrader’s stepson, during which Schrader confessed twice to killing Carol Ann.

Carol Ann’s sister, Kay Dougherty, said, “Our family lived with unanswered questions, and the uncertainty surrounding Carol’s death became part of our identity.”