PA PA - Betsy Aardsma, 22, murdered in Pattee Library, Penn State, 29 Nov 1969

[littlehorn]

Creepy nonetheless. Considering though from the way it sounds Betsy's death has been reduced to a campus urban legend its not surprising I guess.
I wonder how many times she's been paged over campus Ouiji boards over the last 39 years?
I shudder to think.

Yeah, really. Her "phone" must never stop ringing. Especially around Halloween, because she is mentioned in every spook article ever written on the University.

That's part of my motivation for solving this case. To put her to rest and to give the story an ending, instead of just a lot of big question marks.

 

[littlehorn]

I think that would be a capital idea,ive seen far less interesting cases featured on every one of those programs.
There could be a wealth of untapped input out there if people were made aware of this case.
I know Id never heard of it Derek until you brought it to our attention
(thanks again) and just look at all the feedback on this board alone.

Thanks, I appreciate that. To me it's so fascinating because here's a case where she really was completely innocent (as far as anyone can tell). No problems at home, no secret boyfriends, no drugs, nothing at all "bad" about her. I don't care much for the cases where someone 'runs away" or "mom and dad" are involved and maybe killed them, because there's usually some element of drama about them that we can't understand. This one, however, stands out; almost like a slaughter of innocence.

I will get to work on submitting it to some shows, especially with the 40th anniversary coming up. Frankly, we're running out of time. If the killer really was 20-22, he's now 60-62. May already be dead, last communication was 1994, 1999 if you believe the second shrine was genuine.

My biggest problem is that my website is getting a lot of hits; but I haven't gotten a SINGLE email yet from anyone who was there or who has any information.

Derek

 

[kline]

Thanks, I appreciate that. To me it's so fascinating because here's a case where she really was completely innocent (as far as anyone can tell). No problems at home, no secret boyfriends, no drugs, nothing at all "bad" about her. I don't care much for the cases where someone 'runs away" or "mom and dad" are involved and maybe killed them, because there's usually some element of drama about them that we can't understand. This one, however, stands out; almost like a slaughter of innocence.

I will get to work on submitting it to some shows, especially with the 40th anniversary coming up. Frankly, we're running out of time. If the killer really was 20-22, he's now 60-62. May already be dead, last communication was 1994, 1999 if you believe the second shrine was genuine.

My biggest problem is that my website is getting a lot of hits; but I haven't gotten a SINGLE email yet from anyone who was there or who has any information.

Derek

Try not to get discouraged.Im heartened and not surprised your getting alot of hits.
Between the mention in the Zodiac board crime section and here at websleuths alot of people are hearing of this tragedy for the first time and it takes time for the story to pass around.All it takes is that 'one' person to provide the piece of the puzzle your looking for.
Im certain that Betsy would be grateful that whatever happens someone remembers and is trying.Your doing great.

 

[littlehorn]

Try not to get discouraged.Im heartened and not surprised your getting alot of hits.
Between the mention in the Zodiac board crime section and here at websleuths alot of people are hearing of this tragedy for the first time and it takes time for the story to pass around.All it takes is that 'one' person to provide the piece of the puzzle your looking for.
Im certain that Betsy would be grateful that whatever happens someone remembers and is trying.Your doing great.

Thanks, I know what you mean. It's hard because so far nothing is happening quite like I'd hoped, but I know I need to give it time.

I just feel with 40 years coming up that we're running out of time.

 

[Marilynilpa]

Derek, you've done such a great job getting all of the info together about Betsy. I know what it's like to be obsessed by an old, cold case, so I know how hard it is to make others understand your determination to figure it all out. At least you know that your fellow Websleuths understand your commitment.

I've been reading the posts here for some time, but haven't had time to contribute much until now.

I don't get the impression that Betsy was killed by a stalker. The main reason is the single stab wound. If she'd had a confrontation with a stalker, perhaps informed him of her engagement, it seems that there would have been a great deal of rage on the stalker's part, and a single stab wound seems improbable under those circumstances.

Betsy had no defensive wounds, no skin under her nails, so she apparently was attacked quickly and without warning. But does this mean she knew the person who killed her? Or does it just mean that person was not threatening in any way? Someone who appeared to be (and most likely was) just another student.

The fact that the lone stab wound was so effective obviously makes me wonder about the killer's anatomical knowledge. From the stuff I've read about this case, the killer was taller than Betsy because of the angle of the knife entry and the force necessary to inflict the wound. Could this have been just a "lucky" (pardon the word) stab at Betsy that hit in such a way that it appeared to be precise?

Finally, from the lack of any discernible motive, I think Betsy may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time and found herself in the path of someone with murder in his heart. A budding serial killer, perhaps? Has the roster from her English class, and other classes, been cross-checked to see if any classmates went on to commit acts such as rape or murder?

I live in Pittsburgh, PA, and if there is any specific research I can help out with, let me know and I'll do what I can.

Marilyn

 

[littlehorn]

Derek, you've done such a great job getting all of the info together about Betsy. I know what it's like to be obsessed by an old, cold case, so I know how hard it is to make others understand your determination to figure it all out. At least you know that your fellow Websleuths understand your commitment.

Betsy had no defensive wounds, no skin under her nails, so she apparently was attacked quickly and without warning. But does this mean she knew the person who killed her? Or does it just mean that person was not threatening in any way? Someone who appeared to be (and most likely was) just another student.

The fact that the lone stab wound was so effective obviously makes me wonder about the killer's anatomical knowledge. From the stuff I've read about this case, the killer was taller than Betsy because of the angle of the knife entry and the force necessary to inflict the wound. Could this have been just a "lucky" (pardon the word) stab at Betsy that hit in such a way that it appeared to be precise?

Finally, from the lack of any discernible motive, I think Betsy may have been in the wrong place at the wrong time and found herself in the path of someone with murder in his heart. A budding serial killer, perhaps? Has the roster from her English class, and other classes, been cross-checked to see if any classmates went on to commit acts such as rape or murder?

Marilyn,

Thanks for the encouragement. Let me try to answer your statements one by one.

I agree that the stalker theory is most likely incorrect, as we have discussed before, there's not enough rage present.

I do believe you are correct as well that the stab wound was lucky. If you really look at the coroner's report, it was EFFECTIVE, but not OPTIMAL. 1/2 inch either way and she would have been fine. It's surprising the killer was able to penetrate the sternum at such a severe angle. I would have to say the killer took a wild stab at her and fled without knowing until later that he had been effective.

This indicates, though, that perhaps it was NOT someone that she knew, because they had no real way of knowing that the single stab wound would be effective in killing her. If it was a friend from class, they would likely have been identified had the knife missed its target.

Her classmates were watched for several years and the only untoward activity that was noticed that I know of was the one guy who got busted for drugs in the Navy. I certainly have not read of anyone from her class or from PSU 1969 vintage who did anything particularly outstanding in the criminal world.

There was a knife-wielding rapist about that time on campus but despite being foiled by several female students (one kicked him in the nuts, another used judo) he was never caught. He supposedly had a speech impediment and the police determined that he was NOT linked to the Aardsma murder (don't know how but they claim that they did.)

Derek

 

[littlehorn]

Any Holland, Michigan area sleuthers reading this thread?

Apparently the Holland Sentinel did an article about the Aardsma website that ran on Sunday or yesterday.

I'd like to get a copy of it but I can't find a link online.

 

[Trino]

I've read with interest theories about Betsy's murder. Here'e my take. I think the murder was pre-planned, although not pre-planned toward Betsy. IMO this was a one-time thrill attack, something the murderer has confessed to no one. During the 40 years since Betsy's murder, based on the fact that it happened at an academic institution and not on a street corner somewhere, I think the murderer has most likely had a successful career and would not wish to ruin anything for himself or his family. I doubt he will ever confess to clear his conscience, although I hope he's shaking in his boots that the case has resurfaced.

I think the young man who yelled, "Someone better help that girl!" was the guy who did it. I'm basing this last statement on a student I knew years ago who nearly knocked a guy out in the bathroom. His statement as he ran down the hallway was, "Someone better help that kid!"

 

[Talisman]

I've read with interest theories about Betsy's murder. Here'e my take. I think the murder was pre-planned, although not pre-planned toward Betsy. IMO this was a one-time thrill attack, something the murderer has confessed to no one. During the 40 years since Betsy's murder, based on the fact that it happened at an academic institution and not on a street corner somewhere, I think the murderer has most likely had a successful career and would not wish to ruin anything for himself or his family. I doubt he will ever confess to clear his conscience, although I hope he's shaking in his boots that the case has resurfaced.

I think the young man who yelled, "Someone better help that girl!" was the guy who did it. I'm basing this last statement on a student I knew years ago who nearly knocked a guy out in the bathroom. His statement as he ran down the hallway was, "Someone better help that kid!"

Trino,

I also think the person who said that was the killer (no personal experience to base it on, like you) - just a feeling.

If it was a one time thrill attack, what do you make of the shrine? Do you think it was the killer that left it? If so, why then risk "ruin" when he had gotten away with it all of these years?

From all I have learned ( Thanks to littlehorn!!!), I really believe it was the killer that left the shrine.

 

[MaryLiz]

I believe this was a thrill murder too. I said before that someone who murders someone else will ultimately do one of three things:

1) Kill again.
2) Tell someone about it.
3) Taunt.

I also believe it was the killer who left the shrine. Maybe he hasn't killed again but I have to believe that in his sick mind he feels he got away with the ultimate and is SO proud of it. So he has to taunt by leaving the shrine. He probably hasn't dared to tell anyone about it. Unless it's a situation where he is married and his wife may know. But if that's the case, he is probably an abuser and his wife is scared to death to say anything. That is a very real possibility because women who are with men they are afraid of may know about their past crimes or something horrible they have done but would NEVER tell because of their fear. I just can't imagine someone telling their wife they did something like that and her not going to the police about it unless he has abused her and she is very fearful of him.

 

[littlehorn]

I've read with interest theories about Betsy's murder. Here'e my take. I think the murder was pre-planned, although not pre-planned toward Betsy. IMO this was a one-time thrill attack, something the murderer has confessed to no one. During the 40 years since Betsy's murder, based on the fact that it happened at an academic institution and not on a street corner somewhere, I think the murderer has most likely had a successful career and would not wish to ruin anything for himself or his family. I doubt he will ever confess to clear his conscience, although I hope he's shaking in his boots that the case has resurfaced.

I think the young man who yelled, "Someone better help that girl!" was the guy who did it. I'm basing this last statement on a student I knew years ago who nearly knocked a guy out in the bathroom. His statement as he ran down the hallway was, "Someone better help that kid!"

This makes sense in a way. No prints have ever matched the ones found at the scene. In those days the police weren't in the habit of printing everyone they questioned so it's likely even if he was questioned, but stayed cool, he may have just walked away without having been printed.

What about the 2nd guy, though? I have trouble resolving him in any of the theories I've heard.

I do like your idea and I think it has a lot of merit. Now the question is: How to find that guy?

 

[littlehorn]

Trino,
If it was a one time thrill attack, what do you make of the shrine? Do you think it was the killer that left it? If so, why then risk "ruin" when he had gotten away with it all of these years?

From all I have learned ( Thanks to littlehorn!!!), I really believe it was the killer that left the shrine.

I believe that the killer left the shrine, too. I'm torn up about why. If, as you suggest, he went on to be successful and "normal," the question would be, why risk ruining that?

Perhaps he felt that he needed a little kick in the pants to try to get some attention to the case -- in a sick way, to taunt the police years later by saying "Oh yeah, remember, I'm still out here, and you're still stupid."

Perhaps he did feel some remorse at some point. I would be surprised if someone could so completely throw a switch and live a normal life after that, especially if he had kids, etc., and it began to occur to him what all he had taken from her.

 

[littlehorn]

I also believe it was the killer who left the shrine. Maybe he hasn't killed again but I have to believe that in his sick mind he feels he got away with the ultimate and is SO proud of it. So he has to taunt by leaving the shrine. He probably hasn't dared to tell anyone about it. Unless it's a situation where he is married and his wife may know. But if that's the case, he is probably an abuser and his wife is scared to death to say anything. That is a very real possibility because women who are with men they are afraid of may know about their past crimes or something horrible they have done but would NEVER tell because of their fear. I just can't imagine someone telling their wife they did something like that and her not going to the police about it unless he has abused her and she is very fearful of him.

I don't think it will hurt anything to reveal that I have found out, through talking to people who have researched the case over the years, that in 1979, a taunting postcard was sent to the police. Unsigned, but it said that "you never caught the guy who killed the c*nt over the holiday." Or something to that effect.

So, the question is, has the killer maintained contact with the police over the years in a taunting way, and if so, is this something that the thrill killer would do periodically in order to continue to derive pleasure and excitement from what he did, without having to kill again and risk anything?

 

[cbcrime]

Do you know if LE feels that the 1979 postcard is from the killer? If so it sure demonstrates how he feels about Betsy and I would say all women.

I am torn between was this a one time kill - or part of a serial killer? Can you have a serial killer personality and not kill repeatedly? Can you kill once and taunting sustain you the rest of your life? BTK went dormant for a long time. Though he could not give up taunting.

I would guess someone would really have to compartmentalize their life in order to commit this crime and never talk about it. I would guess that taunting could take the place of talking about it. I can picture this person all of these years - gloating about how smart he was and that he got away with it and that it was his secret. Yet every once in awhile reminding police - they never figured it out.

I tend to think that Betsy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also I wonder if this is an intelligent criminal? Or maybe more correctly just cunning.

Betsy deserves more than being the Penn State campus urban legend. Thank you Derek for all you've done on this to bring about answers for Betsy and any of her family or friends.

You've mentioned prints - did they take prints from the crime scene?
You said they never matched? I really think the last couple days ideas posted are great. Another question - is it possible that the two men - weren't togther. Meaning the man who said someone better help that girl. Was he really with another man? Did they come from the same area - where they actually taling. Could they just have left at the same time?

 

[littlehorn]

I would guess someone would really have to compartmentalize their life in order to commit this crime and never talk about it. I would guess that taunting could take the place of talking about it. I can picture this person all of these years - gloating about how smart he was and that he got away with it and that it was his secret. Yet every once in awhile reminding police - they never figured it out.

I tend to think that Betsy was in the wrong place at the wrong time. Also I wonder if this is an intelligent criminal? Or maybe more correctly just cunning.

Betsy deserves more than being the Penn State campus urban legend. Thank you Derek for all you've done on this to bring about answers for Betsy and any of her family or friends.

You've mentioned prints - did they take prints from the crime scene?
You said they never matched? I really think the last couple days ideas posted are great. Another question - is it possible that the two men - weren't togther. Meaning the man who said someone better help that girl. Was he really with another man? Did they come from the same area - where they actually taling. Could they just have left at the same time?

I don't know what LE's take on the postcard is, just that it occurred around Easter of 1979, and was mailed from a southern city, either New Orleans or Atlanta, GA, by the postmark. Could easily have just been a drop made on vacation or a business trip, though.

It is my understanding that prints taken from the crime scene were never matched to anyone in NCIC database. However, that doesn't mean that they got the "right" prints as many people handled Betsy's body and belongings before police were called after it was realized that she hadn't fainted/had a seizure. So it's quite possible the prints don't belong to the killer, if you think about it that way. Maybe the killer never touched her, except for the stabbing?

The only conclusion I can rectify in my head is that she just happened to walk into the wrong place at the wrong time, which is absurd considering she was in what should be considered a very safe place -- the campus library at a large college! This is what bothers me the most because it has parallels to today's school violence yet is never referenced because it wasn't a particularly high body count, etc.

I don't know if anything I do can really take away the stigma of 40 years as a punchline to a joke, but I'd like to think catching the killer would help.

As far as the two guys -- there is some question as to whether two guys were even there, as the composites could have been of one guy as described by different people.

I'm with you in that I don't know if this killer is particularly intelligent (although we can assume he has at least some college education) but is more cunning, or else so completely unexpected that the element of surprise is to factor into this.

The guy would have to be cracked to not talk about it to anyone -- but then perhaps he talks about it to everyone? If I was old enough, I guess I could be a suspect -- I'm interested in it beyond the normal level that most people who hear about a murder are, you know?

He could easily just be a guy who tells the story to people and acts surprised that it happened, etc., and gets his kicks from relating this "unsolved murder" spook story without being suspected...

 

[cbcrime]

I think it very possible he didn't leave any prints. If he grabbed her from behind and stabbed her from behind - where would the prints be? Plus there are an enormous amount of prints in the library - unless they were in a place to mark them as the murderer - how do you know they were made by the perp?

The 1979 postcard really bothers me. Whether it was the murderer or not that person had a real disdain for women. Which reallly falls in line with Betsy being a random victim.

I would hope that the taunting would continue. Because foresnics is so advanced in comparison to 1969. It could be helpful if it is the real killer. But then the average person is also so much more aware of foresnics today.

I guess he could be the person that tells the story over and over. It could be his association with the crime. i.e. I went to Penn State at the time. I was in the library that day - or the day before etc. It could be the story that grandpa or Uncle tells over and over again. And people would take it as just that persons way of attaching themselves to a well known event. Fame by association. I don't know. I wonder if a profile was ever done on this case?

 

[littlehorn]

I think it very possible he didn't leave any prints. If he grabbed her from behind and stabbed her from behind - where would the prints be? Plus there are an enormous amount of prints in the library - unless they were in a place to mark them as the murderer - how do you know they were made by the perp?

The 1979 postcard really bothers me. Whether it was the murderer or not that person had a real disdain for women. Which reallly falls in line with Betsy being a random victim.

I would hope that the taunting would continue. Because foresnics is so advanced in comparison to 1969. It could be helpful if it is the real killer. But then the average person is also so much more aware of foresnics today.

I guess he could be the person that tells the story over and over. It could be his association with the crime. i.e. I went to Penn State at the time. I was in the library that day - or the day before etc. It could be the story that grandpa or Uncle tells over and over again. And people would take it as just that persons way of attaching themselves to a well known event. Fame by association. I don't know. I wonder if a profile was ever done on this case?

I have my doubts as to whether she was even stabbed from behind. My forensic mock-up of the autopsy report (which I am not releasing yet outside of to the State Police) indicates a different conclusion -- which surprised even me. I had assumed she was silenced, military-style, from behind.

Even assuming that happened, you look at all the people who touched Betsy after finding her, attempting CPR, etc., the odds are that there were 100 different fingerprints on her.

As far as I know there has been no further contact with the killer since the 30th anniversary in 1999, and that's if you assume that the 1999 shrine was authentic, as it was in the wrong aisle and not as well done.

That said, I don't know how much if any forensic work the police have done on this. When I talked to the trooper in charge he mentioned the expense of doing DNA testing, etc., and that they were looking into doing it. I offered to pay to have it done to expedite things, or at least to donate towards it.

I think either the guy gets his jollies off talking about this and never being suspected, or else he enjoys the quiet superiority of knowing that he and only he know who did it.

I am assuming that as of 1994 he was still alive...So in the last 15 years, if he hasn't passed away, he has simply kept quiet to my knowledge.

 

[cbcrime]

Derek can you give a little visual description? Do we know what direction Betsy was facing when attacked? If I have this correct - one end of the stack ends against a wall. So when attacked - do we know what direction Betsy was facing? There is mention of books - do we know if she had any book(s) in her hands? Do you think she saw her killer approaching her? If so it would seem she did not fear this person approaching. Could it be because the person didn't appear threatening. Or could it be someone she recognized?

 

[littlehorn]

Derek can you give a little visual description? Do we know what direction Betsy was facing when attacked? If I have this correct - one end of the stack ends against a wall. So when attacked - do we know what direction Betsy was facing? There is mention of books - do we know if she had any book(s) in her hands? Do you think she saw her killer approaching her? If so it would seem she did not fear this person approaching. Could it be because the person didn't appear threatening. Or could it be someone she recognized?

I had always struggled with the idea that she was approached (on hard vinyl asbestos tile flooring) and completely surprised from behind. Having been in the core several times now, let me just say, you KNOW when someone else is in the core. It's not at all completely isolated. The books are floor to ceiling but the shelves are backless so you have some visibility between aisles, etc.

One end of the stacks dead-ends against a wall. Correct. So, Betsy is facing with her right side to that dead-end, probably looking at books on what would be the left side of the aisle. She may or may not have had books in hand -- she pulled a shelf down as she fell, so it's hard to say which if any she was holding vs. what she knocked down.

If she is facing 90 degrees perpendicular to the shelf as you might be when looking for a book, and the killer approaches, she turns approx. 15 degrees towards the open end of the aisle, as you might -- not only to see who is coming, but to perhaps address that person if they have spoken to you, etc.

Then the killer whacks her a single time with the knife, she falls, he leaves. I think it's that simple. He may have addressed her in a nonthreatening way, or he may have been someone that she recognized, if not knew, from her time at the college, which was admittedly short.

The killer would have been able to prevent her escape but I doubt that she had any inclination of what was about to happen until it happened. Total surprise.

 

[Trino]

I am torn between was this a one time kill - or part of a serial killer? Can you have a serial killer personality and not kill repeatedly? Can you kill once and taunting sustain you the rest of your life? BTK went dormant for a long time. Though he could not give up taunting.

I would guess someone would really have to compartmentalize their life in order to commit this crime and never talk about it.

Maybe it was a one-time deal. I suspect there are more than a few people who have done things they have not revealed to their families. Maybe it wasn't murder or something that could land them in jail, but it was still something dark they did not wish to share because it might cause problems. Wasn't there just a NY Congressman who had a secret 3 year old love child that his wife knew nothing about? Also, consider the BTK serial murderer whose wife knew nothing. Some people wear their life on their shoulders; others reveal nothing.