A New Hampshire murder from 1975 has finally been solved after faulty FBI forensic analysis allowed the killer to evade arrest for half a century.

According to the New York Post, Attorney General John M. Formella announced Monday that Ernest Theodore Gable has been identified as the murderer of 22-year-old Judith Lord. The victim was discovered dead in her Concord apartment on May 20, 1975, just months after she had moved into the residence.

A building manager found Lord's body in an upstairs bed while searching for her regarding unpaid rent. Her 20-month-old son was discovered alive and unharmed in a crib located in an adjacent room.

Evidence Pointed to Violent Attack

An autopsy determined that Lord died from homicidal strangulation following a brutal assault. The crime scene showed clear signs of a violent struggle and sexual assault, with the room in complete disarray.

Investigators collected critical physical evidence, including hairs found on Lord's body and bed. Seminal fluid was also discovered hardened on top of a still-damp towel at the scene.

Investigators identified Lord's neighbor, Ernest Theodore Gable, who was 24 at the time, as the primary suspect. Despite this early identification, he would never face charges due to a critical error in forensic analysis.

FBI Analysis Derailed Original Investigation

Formella explained that the case was severely hindered by a flawed forensic report issued by the FBI in 1975. "At the time, microscopic hair analysis techniques led to an incorrect conclusion that the suspect could not have contributed the hairs found at the scene," the attorney general's report stated.

However, other evidence strongly contradicted the FBI's hair analysis findings. Gable's fingerprints were discovered at the crime scene, and multiple witnesses came forward to reveal that Lord had expressed fear of her neighbor.

Detectives learned that Lord had been afraid of both her husband, Gregory, and Gable due to persistent unwanted advances from the latter. "Judith told her sister she was afraid of both her husband and her African American neighbor next door, indicating Mr. Gable, because he 'had made remarks to her about wanting to see her nude,'" according to the attorney general's report.

Victim's Troubled Circumstances Before Murder

Lord had moved into the Concord Gardens apartment complex three months before her death with her husband and son after returning from Germany. Gregory Lord had been stationed in a European country for several months before taking leave and returning to the United States.

The couple's living situation deteriorated when Gregory Lord assaulted his wife on May 4, 1975, just 16 days before her murder. He was arrested, immediately entered a guilty plea for simple assault, and was fined $100 before moving out.

Gregory Lord relocated to his grandmother's home across the street, taking all belongings except for his wife, their son, a bed, and a crib. He was initially the primary suspect but was cleared after his brother and grandmother provided an alibi for his whereabouts.

Lessons to Learn

1. Forensic methods must be scrutinized over time. The flawed FBI report in this case shows how science evolves. Misplaced reliance on unproven techniques can derail investigations—and delay justice by decades.

2. Recognize and report repeated harassment. Gable’s persistent and unwanted advances toward Judith Lord were known to several in the community. When troubling behavior surfaces repeatedly, community members and authorities must take such reports seriously and act accordingly.

3. Support victims, but don’t blame them. Judith took steps to distance herself from both her husband and Gable’s attentions, but crime can still strike anyone. No safety decision she made absolves her killer of responsibility. It is essential to protect and advocate for victims without judgment.

Why This Story Matters

Solving Judith Lord's case reminds communities that justice can still prevail—even decades later. It brings closure to a family that lived without answers for half a century. Most importantly, it underscores the need for constant improvements in forensic science and case review procedures.

Conclusion

In 1975, 22-year-old Judith Lord was murdered in her Concord apartment while her toddler slept in the next room. The original investigation focused on a neighbor, Ernest Gable, but an inaccurate FBI forensic report cleared him. Despite evidence of harassment and his fingerprints found at the scene, Gable was never charged and later died in 1987. In 2025, authorities officially named him the Lord’s killer. While no charges can be filed posthumously, law enforcement hopes this long-delayed resolution brings peace and a solemn reminder that justice, however delayed, still matters.