Closure sought in decades-old case
The Sentinel
17 Jul 2014
Written by Peter Rouleau
ASPEN HILL - On July 24, 1975, 15-year-old Kathy Lynn Beatty was assaulted in the wooded area near the Aspen Hill K-Mart and 7-11. She was taken to the hospital but died as a result of her injuries on Aug. 5. Nearly 40 years later, a former classmate of Beatty’s believes that he is close to discovering the truth about that night’s tragic events.
Steve Kerpelman was a member of Beatty’s class, which had just graduated from ninth grade at Parkland Middle School – then known as Parkland Junior High School. Although he did not know Beatty well, he remembers her as “A kind, quiet girl who had a nice smile.”
Kerpelman said that her death was devastating to the community, which was still reeling from the disappearance of the Lyon sisters three months earlier, a case which also remains unsolved.
Kerpelman would pursue a career in law enforcement, spending 21 years as a member of the Prince George’s County Police department, more than half of that time as an investigator. After retiring, he became a licensed private investigator based in Gambrills.
For the past six years, as a service to Beatty’s mother, Patricia Haberman, Kerpelman has been investigating Beatty’s death free of charge. Kerpelman said his firm has received a good amount of valuable information since initiating social media outreach in March.
“We’ve gotten in touch with some people who have been harder to locate, and we’ve received a constant flow of tips,” Kerpelman said. “We’re trying to reach the older residents.” Kerpelman uses his old Parkland yearbooks as a means of beginning a dialogue with former classmates.
“It’s likely that Kathy knew the people who assaulted her, that something just got out of hand that night,” Kerpelman said. “We believe that somebody out there knows the truth about what happened.”
Kerpelman expressed optimism that the case will someday be solved. His investigation has been aided by several friends of Beatty and longtime county residents.
“Everyone involved is doing this for Kathy’s mother,” Kerpelman said.Haberman praised Kerpelman’s efforts. “Steve is a wonderful investigator,” Haberman said. “He knocked on my door six years ago and volunteered to work the case, and he won’t take a dime from me. I’m so appreciative for what everybody has done. Kathy was a sweet girl. She wouldn’t let me swat a fly that got into the house. She deserves closure.”
Haberman said she shares Kerpelman’s confidence that the truth about her daughter’s death will come to light. Kerpelman’s firm, SMK Investigations, is offering a reward of $5,000 for information leading to the identity of the person or people who were with Beatty on the night of her assault.
Anyone with any information, however trivial it may seem, is encouraged to e-mail
reward@kathybeatty.com ...
... or call 240-304-8633....
LINK:
http://www.thesentinel.com/mont/ind...closure-sought-in-decades-old-case&Itemid=766