Jefferson Township, PA – A $5,000 cash reward is being offered for information that could solve a decades-old homicide case involving an 8-year-old girl in Greene County.
According to Pennsylvania State Police, Debra “Debbie” Lynn Makel was last seen on Oct. 5, 1973, after getting off her school bus near her home in Jefferson Township. The child walked less than two miles from Dry Tavern Elementary School to her residence on Hoy Street in Rice’s Landing. Investigators placed her arrival at around 3:45 p.m.
Her parents were at work, and her brothers were selling school fundraiser subscriptions. When the boys returned home, they found Debbie’s belongings but not their sister.
Two days later, her body was discovered less than 200 yards from her home, near an abandoned distillery foundation. Police said she had been partially clothed and covered with branches. A pillowcase was found over her head, and her cause of death was determined to be asphyxia due to a fractured larynx.
Anyone with information is urged to contact the PSP Waynesburg Station at 724-627-6151 or submit an anonymous tip online at p3tips.com.
PSP officials say callers may be eligible for the $5,000 reward if their tip leads to an arrest or resolution of the case.
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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