A chilling confession has emerged from one of America’s most notorious serial killers, shedding light on a decades-old mystery.

Richard Cottingham, infamously known as the "Torso Killer," has admitted to the brutal 1965 murder of 18-year-old nursing student Alys Jean Eberhardt in Fair Lawn, New Jersey. The confession came on December 22, 2025, after years of investigation into the cold case.

This admission marks the earliest confirmed killing by Cottingham, who was just 19 at the time of the crime, only a year older than his victim. The killer, now 79, has been linked to at least 20 murders across New York and New Jersey, with suspicions of up to 100 victims. Eberhardt’s death had remained unsolved for over six decades until this breakthrough.

Uncovering a Cold Case Truth

As reported by the Daily Mail, the Fair Lawn Police Department announced the confession on a Tuesday morning, following intense efforts by investigators and historian Peter Vronsky. Vronsky, along with Sergeant Eric Eleshewich and Detective Brian Rypkema, worked tirelessly to extract details from Cottingham. The urgency heightened after Cottingham nearly died from a medical emergency in October 2025, risking the loss of critical information.

Eberhardt was last seen on September 24, 1965, leaving her dormitory at Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing to attend a family funeral. She drove to her home on Saddle River Road, where Cottingham, using a fake police badge, gained her trust before attacking her.

The teen fought back fiercely, frustrating Cottingham’s sadistic plans, as he later admitted to detectives. He described the murder as “sloppy,” a mistake from which he learned in his early days of killing. His lack of remorse was evident, with Eleshewich noting Cottingham’s confusion over why people still care about his crimes.

Details of a Brutal Attack

Cottingham revealed gruesome details of how he followed Eberhardt home and tricked her into opening the door. Once inside, he used an object from the house to bludgeon her to death, later making 62 shallow cuts on her chest and neck with a dagger. He then thrust a kitchen knife into her throat before fleeing through a back door.

The medical examiner confirmed Eberhardt died of blunt force trauma, and her father, Ross, discovered her partially nude body on the living room floor around 6 p.m. that day. Cottingham confessed he was still in the house when her father arrived, a chilling detail that underscores his brazen nature.

Newspapers at the time misreported the nature of the wounds, but Vronsky recognized the distinct pattern of cuts from other Cottingham murders. The killer admitted to attempting a symbolic pattern with the slashes, inspired by a deck of cards, though he lost count during the act. This confession finally connected the dots in a case lacking DNA evidence until it was reopened in spring 2021.

Family Finds Long-Awaited Closure

Eberhardt’s family, after waiting since 1965 for answers, received the news during the holiday season, bringing a bittersweet sense of peace. Her nephew, Michael Smith, expressed deep gratitude to the Fair Lawn Police Department for their persistence. He noted the emotional impact of finally telling his mother, Alys’s sister, the truth about her death.

Smith also acknowledged Cottingham as the “personification of evil” but appreciated his decision to confess after so long. The family honored Alys’s memory with the closure they never thought possible. They extended thanks to law enforcement for ensuring victims like Alys are never forgotten, no matter the passage of time.

Even a retired detective, now over 100 years old, who worked on the original 1965 case, was informed of the breakthrough. This confession not only resolved a personal tragedy but also highlighted the dedication of investigators across generations. It serves as a reminder of the enduring quest for justice in cold cases.

Lessons to Learn

While Cottingham is behind bars, his crimes serve as a painful reminder of the dangers that can occur even in familiar settings. There are critical takeaways individuals and families can keep in mind today:

1. Always verify the identity of anyone claiming to be an authority figure. Cottingham gained entry using a fake police badge—a tactic still used by modern predators.

2. Improve personal security whenever possible. While no method offers complete protection, motion sensors, cameras, and reinforced locks can deter or delay access to would-be intruders.

3. Be mindful of unusual approaches or requests at your home. Trust instincts and never feel pressured to open a door or comply with unverified demands.

It’s important to remember that no victim is to blame for a criminal’s actions. Tragedies like this reflect the malicious intent of the perpetrator, not the decisions of the person harmed.

Why This Story Matters

The resolution of a 60-year-old murder demonstrates both the persistence of investigators and the enduring pain left by unsolved crimes. It affirms that justice can still be pursued—even decades later. For a family waiting for the truth since 1965, answers finally arrived, proving the value of never giving up a case.

Conclusion

Richard Cottingham, the “torso killer,” has now admitted to the murder of Alys Jean Eberhardt, an 18-year-old aspiring nurse whose life was stolen in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, in 1965. The confession, prompted after Cottingham’s medical crisis in late 2025, resolves one of his earliest confirmed crimes. Historians and law enforcement used patient, methodical work to unlock the truth, leading to closure for Eberhardt’s family. Authorities confirmed the killer entered the home posing as a police officer before attacking her with weapons from the garage and kitchen, inflicting dozens of cuts. Eberhardt was laid to rest decades ago, but only now does her family have a clearer view of the man behind her death—one who is responsible for as many as 100 killings. This case marks another long-delayed but critical strike against a predator who operated in plain sight for far too long.