PA PA - Elizabeth Neate, 29, Philadelphia, found shot to death, 1961

[Kaywood]

This one is personal to me, in 1961 Elizabeth Neate a mother of 3 from glenolden pa, a quiet suburban town on the outskirts of Philadelphia, left her house to go to a dentist appointment from there the story gets muddled and unfortunately the police at the time did not do a through investigation, and their is zero evidence or suspects, some say she was last seen waiting at a bus stop as a teenage not approached her, others say a man in a green Pontiac abducted her and others say she was last seen walking down a busy street in broad day light. What we do know is the next day she was found in a abandoned lot 2 towns over raped and murdered. Elizabeth is a great aunt of mine and I have been unsuccessfully trying to get more information on case for years. I'm hoping this amazing community of web sleuths will be able to help me out and get some much need closure.

 

[Laughing]

Gettysburg Times - Google News Archive Search

Have you tried the investigating police department?

The county prosecutor/district attorney's office probably has a Victim Advocate. That person should be able to help you find more information.

The county Genealogical Society may be able to help as well. These folks keep newspapers, are curious, ask question, and remember everything. Might ask questions there....

 

[Kaywood]

Gettysburg Times - Google News Archive Search

Have you tried the investigating police department?

The county prosecutor/district attorney's office probably has a Victim Advocate. That person should be able to help you find more information.

The county Genealogical Society may be able to help as well. These folks keep newspapers, are curious, ask question, and remember everything. Might ask questions there....

I have called the police department and they told me that they don't have any information on the case, other than the information I already have which is just a name, date and location. I will reach out to the other places you suggested. Thank you

 

[doublestop]

From the Pottsville Republican, 6 Nov 1961:

"...a 29-year-old mother of three who was found dead in a weed-filled lot was raped and then a bullet was fired into her head.... The woman apparently was shot as she walked from her home toward a bus stop en route to a dental appointment she never kept. Her body was found in Prospect Park just outside Philadelphia, about 2 1/2 miles from her home.... She may have been shot and killed near her home. Residents of the area where she would have been walking Friday night, however, heard a sharp report around the time she disappeared." It goes on to say she did not catch the bus so they believe she was driven to the lot where she was found.

 

[squareandrabbet]

Article from Delaware County Times linked below:

Delaware County Daily Times Archives, Feb 13, 1962, p. 15

The gist seems to be a public argument between local and state law enforcement, as the local law enforcement said that State Police were contacted to assist in the investigation of the murder; State Police representatives disagreed.

Also makes reference within to "the unsolved slaying of Patricia Nicklas, 15, of Trainer on Feb. 24, 1961"; which could yield some overlap and/or clues. I was unable to find much more information on the latter murder than I was on Elizabeth.

 

[doublestop]

From the 7 Nov 1961 Philadelphia Daily News, we learn that the autopsy showed she died instantly from shock from a broken neck. The bullet entered her head below the base of the skull. Her neighbors told police they saw a man push a woman into a car Friday night, but didn't think anything of it (??) until they heard that Elizabeth Neate had disappeared. On the other hand, residents near where she was found heard nothing.

Neighbors thought it must be someone familiar with the area because it was obscure.

Her body was found by William R. Hazard of 718 Darby Crescent behind a hedge near his Prospect Park property.

She left a husband, Roy, 34, and children Christine, 8, Wendy, 5, and Craig, 9 months, who were staying with an aunt. Roy and Christine have since passed away.

 

[doublestop]

From one of the newspapers above, a photo of Elizabeth.

 

[Kaywood]

Thank you so much for your help! That's more information than I was able to gather. I really appreciate it.

 

[Cya1973]

This one is personal to me, in 1961 Elizabeth Neate a mother of 3 from glenolden pa, a quiet suburban town on the outskirts of Philadelphia, left her house to go to a dentist appointment from there the story gets muddled and unfortunately the police at the time did not do a through investigation, and their is zero evidence or suspects, some say she was last seen waiting at a bus stop as a teenage not approached her, others say a man in a green Pontiac abducted her and others say she was last seen walking down a busy street in broad day light. What we do know is the next day she was found in a abandoned lot 2 towns over raped and murdered. Elizabeth is a great aunt of mine and I have been unsuccessfully trying to get more information on case for years. I'm hoping this amazing community of web sleuths will be able to help me out and get some much need closure.[/QUOTE

 

[Cya1973]

Always wondered about this story. My parents were foster parents to one of the children for a little bit. Very sad.

 

[Lisalisa1]

Elizabeth was my second cousin. I may be related to you! My father and I were talking about Betty, as she was called by family members, tonight on the phone. I googled and found this site. She died 4 years before I was born, but I’ve always heard about my mother’s cousin who was murdered while waiting at the bus stop. That side of the family had many tragedies, unfortunately.