Bristol, PA – More than six decades after 9-year-old Carol Ann Dougherty was assaulted and killed inside St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church, investigators say they’ve identified her killer.
According to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, a Grand Jury investigation concluded that William Schrader was responsible for Dougherty’s 1962 murder. Schrader, who lived near the church, died in 2002, but officials say modern forensic testing and witness statements “definitively link” him to the crime.
On October 22, 1962, Dougherty was last seen riding her bicycle to meet friends at the Bristol Borough Free Library. She was later found deceased inside St. Mark’s Church, where she had been sexually assaulted and strangled.
A 53-page Grand Jury report cited hair samples, cigarette evidence, and a recorded confession from Schrader’s stepson as key breakthroughs. Investigators say Schrader allegedly admitted to luring the girl into the church before attacking her.
Schrader later moved to Florida and Louisiana, where he was convicted in 1985 for killing another child after setting a fire, according to the DA’s Office.
Authorities hope this long-awaited resolution will bring closure to the Dougherty family and the Bristol community.
Anyone with further information is asked to contact the Pennsylvania State Police Troop M Criminal Investigation Unit at 610-861-2026 or submit tips at www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107.
This article was produced by a journalist and may include AI-assisted input. All content is reviewed for accuracy and fairness.
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