A 63-year-old cold case that haunted a Pennsylvania community has finally been solved after investigators identified the man who raped and murdered a 9-year-old girl inside a church in 1962. The breakthrough came through forensic evidence, witness testimony, and a family member's confession that helped authorities piece together the decades-old crime.

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn announced that a grand jury investigation identified William Schrader as the killer of Carol Ann Dougherty, who was murdered inside St. Mark's Church in Bristol on October 22, 1962, according to Fox News. The 53-page grand jury report concluded that Schrader alone was responsible for the killing.

Dougherty was last seen riding her bicycle to the Bristol Borough Free Library after stopping for candy and a soda. When she failed to return home, her father discovered her body inside the Roman Catholic church, where investigators determined she had been raped and strangled with a ligature.

Family Confession Provides Critical Breakthrough

A key development came in November 2024 when Schrader's stepson, Robert Leblanc, contacted Bucks County investigators and Pennsylvania State Police with crucial information. Leblanc told authorities that Schrader confessed on two separate occasions to murdering a little girl in a Pennsylvania church.

According to Leblanc's account, Schrader said he "had to kill the girl in Bristol to keep her from talking." The grand jury found Leblanc's testimony highly credible because he had no prior knowledge of the case's specific details, meaning the information could only have come from the perpetrator himself.

Forensic Evidence Links Suspect to Crime Scene

Although Schrader died in 2002, investigators were able to build a compelling case using available evidence from the original investigation. A 1993 forensic comparison showed "significant similarities" between Schrader's hair sample and hair found clutched in Dougherty's hand. Out of 141 men tested over the decades, only Schrader could not be eliminated as the source of the hair evidence.

Additional physical evidence included Lucky Strike cigarettes found at the crime scene that matched the brand Schrader was known to smoke. At the time of the original investigation, Schrader, a local factory worker who lived a block and a half from the church, was questioned by police and provided the hair sample.

Suspect's Behavior Raised Early Suspicions

Schrader failed a polygraph test during the initial investigation, and investigators later determined he lied about his alibi. Timecards proved he was not at work on the day of the murder, contradicting his statements to police. Shortly after being questioned, Schrader fled to Florida, where he lived for a year before moving to Texas and Louisiana.

He eventually settled in Houma, Louisiana, where he lived most of his life until his death in 2002. His sudden departure from Pennsylvania immediately after the investigation raised suspicions among law enforcement officials.

Pattern of Violence Emerges in Investigation

The grand jury report revealed Schrader's extensive pattern of violence and sexual violence, particularly against young females. His criminal history spanned multiple states and included assaults with deadly weapons. In 1985, he was convicted in Louisiana for the death of 12-year-old Catherine Smith, who died after Schrader intentionally set fire to his house knowing she and other family members were inside.

Further investigation revealed that Schrader had sexually abused nearly every female child he lived with or had access to, including his own biological daughter and granddaughters. Most of his victims were between the ages of six and 13, fitting the pattern established in Dougherty's case.

Dr. Veronique Valliere, a clinical and forensic psychologist who testified before the grand jury, characterized the perpetrator as "a psychopath who had a deviant sexual arousal for prepubescent victims." She noted that such offenders are often "incredibly impulsive, with little or no self-control" and are comfortable with high-risk crimes. The psychologist added that these individuals "often want to share or brag due to arrogance and grandiosity," which aligned with Schrader's confessions to his stepson.

Lessons to Learn

1. Cold cases can find resolution through perseverance and evolving technology. Forensic science played a vital role in narrowing down the suspect pool and reinforcing the credibility of eyewitness accounts decades after the crime occurred.

2. Confessions, even years later, can be vital in delivering justice. Robert Leblanc’s decision to speak up about his stepfather’s horrifying admission was instrumental in officially identifying the killer. Family members who witness suspicious behavior should never underestimate the importance of coming forward.

3. Always remain aware of surroundings, but recognize that crime has no profile. Carol Ann was doing something as routine as going to the library. We must acknowledge that, unfortunately, sometimes crimes happen regardless of precaution, and the victim is never to blame.

Why This Story Matters

This story underscores the importance of relentless investigative work—in this case, spanning more than six decades—to bring closure to families and communities. It reminds the criminal justice system of the power in reexamining old evidence with fresh eyes and newer tools. Most of all, it shows that justice delayed does not have to mean justice denied.

Conclusion

More than 63 years after 9-year-old Carol Ann Dougherty was raped and murdered in a quiet Pennsylvania church, a combination of forensic advancements and a family confession has led investigators to finally close one of the state’s oldest open homicide cases. William Schrader, a former neighbor who died in 2002, was identified as the killer following a grand jury investigation that included disturbing details of his violent history. With the case now resolved, Carol Ann’s family and the Bristol community can finally begin to heal from a loss that has haunted them for generations.