Kathy Kolodziej has been dead almost 40 years, but the hunt for her killer continues.
Generating interest in the 1974 murder of the SUNY Cobleskill student, State Police hope social media and a reward offered by Crime Stoppers will develop new leads.
The case is among the coldest, but it's never been closed, according to State Police Investigator Tom Cioffi in Cobleskill.
"We're not renewing this case; we're working on it constantly," Investigator Cioffi said.
It's a case that's thwarted and intrigued law enforcement for nearly four decades.
Kathy Kolodziej was a 17-year-old SUNY Cobleskill students who was with friends at a downtown bar the night of November 2, 1974.
She decided to walk back to campus alone but never made it.
On November 28--Thanksgiving morning--her semi-nude body was found on a stone wall near Cross Hill and MacDonald roads in Richmondville.
Ms. Kolodziej had been stabbed multiple times with two different weapons.
In the weeks, months and even years that followed, police interviewed thousands of people and tracked down every lead, but the murder remained unsolved.
Police periodically went public with the case to generate interest and stir memories. This is one of those times.
And although it may seem they're treading well-trod ground, there's always hope.
"Basically, we're going back to the last place Kathy was seen and the last people she was with and trying to shake something lose," Investigator Cioffi said.
"I've always believed we could get that one lucky break."
Techniques not available 30 years ago may help, he added.
There's a facebook page, justice4kathy, where people can post messages and leave anonymous tips.
Crime Stoppers, an organization that aids police, is now involved, offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Ms. Kolodziej's killer.
State Police and Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond are circulating posters about the reward.
"It's always possible somebody's going to call because of the reward," said Robert Keller, Crime Stoppers' executive director.
"It's like the lottery. If you're not in it, you're not gonna win it. If we don't offer a reward, somebody may not call."
But nearly 40 years later?
"With the years gone by, people may have changed feelings," Mr. Keller said. "They may decide to pick up the phone."
Crime Stoppers has an anonymous hotline, 1-866-313-TIPS, or online, crimestoppers1@optonline.net.
Sheriff Desmond hopes the tips start coming in. He's the last currently-working law enforcement officer who worked the case in 1974.
Like Investigator Cioffi, he believes the killer may still be running free.
"I see news about other college girls disappearing, and I think, 'Man, that sounds like Kathy's case,' " Sheriff Desmond said.
"So much time has gone by, but there's still a chance. We're still looking."
Anyone with information can call State Police at 234-9400 or the Sheriff's Office at 295-8114.