Thirty-eight years after the murder of SUNY Cobleskill freshman Kathy Kolodziej, local law enforcement remains convinced they'll find her killer.
A billboard publicizing a $2,500 Crime Stoppers reward for information on the 1974 murder has prompted renewed interest in the case; State Police last Tuesday took advantage of that to stage a press conference in front of the sign.
"This is one more tool," said State Police Troop G BCI Captain Steven James, of the billboard.
Another is a Crime Fighting Mobile App for smart phones, also launched by the non-profit Crime Stoppers, technology that didn't exist 38 years ago that he said adds to the ways people can pass on tips to police-anonymously if they want.
"No lead will be regarded as insignificant," Captain James added. "Let us decide."
Space for the billboard, located on Route 7, east of the village, is being donated by Roger Mallery, who was Schoharie County District Attorney when Ms. Kolodziej disappeared on her way back to campus from the Vault, a downtown bar frequented by college students, on November 2, 1974.
State Police purchased the canvas billboard.
Mr. Mallery's son, RJ Mallery, remembers riding along with his dad on many of his investigations, including this one.
"If the billboard could help...wouldn't that be something after so many years," he said.
Already, both State Police and Schoharie County Sheriff Tony Desmond-who was a trooper in 1974 and is the last member of the original team still working in law enforcement-have received calls prompted by the billboard.
"More than 35 years later, we remain positive [that they'll identify the killer]," Captain James said.
"You have to think, if someone knows who did this, it's an awesome burden."
The first mention of Ms. Kolodziej in the Times-Journal appeared on the front page on November 6, 1974, just four days after her roommate reported her missing.
It was being handled as a missing persons case-though even then, police weren't ruling out foul play.
By the November 13 issue, police were admitting their frustration; roadblocks and cops with Ms. Kolodziej's photos had yielded no clues and they were still uncertain whether she "ran off or was picked up."
By November 20, 1974, the story had moved inside the TJ; police training exercises near Mickle Hollow and Greenbush Road had turned up no clues nor had previous searches of the Cobleskill Creek and the campus.
Police had also followed leads to Wyoming, California, and the Adirondacks; to Guinea Road in the Town of Gilboa-where someone reported dreaming Ms. Kolodziej's body had been left in a gorge-and to Delhi, on a lead from someone with an Ouija board.
There have never been any prime suspects, Captain James said.
There still aren't.
Twenty-six days after Ms. Kolodziej went missing, on Thanksgiving morning 1974, her body, dressed only in her red coat, was found on a stone wall off MacDonald and Cross Hill Roads in Richmondville.
An autopsy at Albany Medical Center determined Ms. Kolodziej had died from several stab wounds.
Police said Tuesday it didn't seem to be a crime of "rage," but rather someone who had some feelings for the Long Island native.
There was no blood at the scene; they believe she was murdered somewhere else.
Because of where she was left, they also believe the killer was from the area.
"She didn't deserve this," said State Police Investigator Bill James.
Sheriff Desmond echoed those thoughts.
"Maybe this guy is still out there," he said. "We're not giving up. This is a young lady who came to SUNY Cobleskill to school...We need to keep her story out there."
At the time Ms. Kolodziej disappeared, friends said she'd declined the offer of a male friend to walk her back to campus, saying she was meeting someone and was "apparently sober."
She was last seen by that friend at 1:30am.
Witnesses reported seeing a woman entering a yellow Volkswagen at about 1:45am.
Police have investigated numerous leads involving yellow VWs over the years but have never been able to confirm that Ms. Kolodziej was the woman getting into the car.
They're now focusing on identifying and interviewing everyone who was in the Vault Friday and Saturday, November 1-2, 1974 from 10pm to 1:30am.
Anyone who can help is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-(866) 313-8477 or Cobleskill State Police at 234-9400.
Online, people can post messages and leave anonymous tips on the Crime Stopper's Facebook page, justice4kathy or go to NYScrimestoppers.org or "follow" her on Twitter at @justice4kathy.
The Crime Stoppers mobile app is also available from their website.