ALBANY, NY – Albany authorities have solved a 60-year-old cold case murder, using DNA evidence to identify the killer of a woman slain in 1964, though the suspect died decades ago.
Joseph Nowakowski has been identified as the killer of Catherine Blackburn, a 50-year-old woman murdered in September 1964 in Albany, New York. The breakthrough came through advanced DNA testing technology that wasn’t available when the crime was committed.
Nowakowski died in 1998, meaning he will never face trial for Blackburn’s murder. However, the identification brings closure to a case that has haunted investigators and Blackburn’s family for six decades.
The 1964 murder occurred during an era when forensic science was in its infancy. Investigators at the time lacked the sophisticated tools now available to law enforcement, including DNA analysis, computerized databases, and advanced fingerprint technology.
Evidence collected at the crime scene in 1964 was preserved for decades, allowing modern investigators to apply new testing methods that finally yielded results. The DNA match to Nowakowski was conclusive, according to authorities.
Cold case investigators have increasingly turned to genealogical DNA testing and other advanced techniques to solve decades-old murders. The technology allows them to extract and analyze DNA samples from evidence that was previously too degraded or limited to provide useful information.
The resolution of Blackburn’s murder demonstrates the perseverance of law enforcement in pursuing justice, even when decades have passed since a crime was committed. Many police departments maintain active cold case units dedicated to reviewing unsolved murders with fresh eyes and new technology.
For Blackburn’s surviving family members, the identification of her killer provides answers they have sought for 60 years. While Nowakowski’s death means he cannot be prosecuted, knowing who was responsible offers a form of justice and closure.
The case joins a growing list of cold cases solved through DNA evidence in recent years. Advances in genetic testing have revolutionized criminal investigations, allowing authorities to link suspects to crimes long after traditional investigative methods have been exhausted.
Authorities have not released details about Nowakowski’s life or whether he was ever a suspect in other crimes. The focus remains on providing answers to Blackburn’s family and documenting the resolution of one of Albany’s oldest unsolved murders.
The breakthrough serves as a reminder that unsolved cases are never truly closed, and that advances in science may one day provide the evidence needed to identify killers and bring peace to victims’ families.
