DNA links man to 1964 murder of woman in Albany, New York

In Albany, New York, authorities made a significant breakthrough in a cold case spanning more than six decades. In a recent announcement, Albany Police identified Joseph Nowakowski as the man responsible for the brutal murder of 50-year-old Catherine Blackburn in September 1964. The development came after DNA evidence linked Nowakowski to the horrific crime. He passed away in 1998, but through a joint investigation by the Criminal Investigation Resource Center at Russell Sage College and other forensic teams, the DNA from Blackburn’s crime scene was matched with that of Nowakowski. This identification signifies the advancement of forensic technology and the persistence of law enforcement in pursuing justice, even for long-unsolved cases. Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox emphasized at a news conference the importance of innovative techniques in cold case investigations, stating, “There’s no such thing as a cold case.” This sentiment was echoed by Albany Police Commander Melissa Morey, who recalled learning the details of the case during her time as a detective in the forensic unit. In 2018, she found that the physical evidence from Blackburn’s murder scene was preserved and intact, allowing for the possibility of new analysis methods. The investigation also involved exhuming Nowakowski's remains for DNA testing. Nowakowski had a lengthy criminal record, including past assaults and burglaries, but was not a suspect at the time of Blackburn's murder. There was no indication that Blackburn and Nowakowski had any prior acquaintance. The tragic circumstances of Blackburn's murder affected her family deeply, with her niece Sandy Carmichael expressing that the event changed their lives forever.