A six-decade-old cold case has finally been solved. Fair Lawn Police released a statement on Tuesday confirming that notorious “Torso Killer” Richard Cottingham confessed to murdering Alys Eberhardt in September of 1965.
The body of the 18-year-old nursing student was found in her home by her father. She had been repeatedly stabbed and bludgeoned. Early attempts to find Eberhardt’s killer were unsuccessful, and the case remained cold for over 55 years. It was reopened in 2021 under the then-Chief Glen Cauwels, with Detectives Eric Eleshewich and Brian Rypkema leading the investigation.
Cottingham, as a potential suspect, was brought to the police’s attention as news of Cottingham’s confessions regarding the 1974 murders of 16-year-old Lorraine Marie Kelly and 17-year-old Mary Ann Pryor in Bergen County, New Jersey, was released in 2021. During one of many interviews, Fair Lawn police asked Cottingham about how he believed the perpetrator gained entry to the Eberhardt residence. When Cottingham corrected the officers on purposely misleading descriptions, they knew they had their killer. Cottingham confessed, and the family of Alys Eberhardt finally had some answers.
In a statement on Facebook from Fair Lawn’s Police, Chief Joseph Dawicki said, “Alys was a vibrant young nursing student who was taken from our community far too soon. While we can never bring her back, I am hopeful that her family can find some peace knowing the person responsible has confessed and can no longer harm anyone else. This case is a testament to the dedication of our officers and to the fact that law enforcement never gives up in the pursuit of justice.”
Also known as the “Times Square Ripper” due to the mutilation of his victims, his assault of Leslie Ann O’Dell in 1980 is what finally brought an end to Cottingham’s butchery. After picking up the 18-year-old O’Dell, who worked as a prostitute, he drove to a hotel, as he had done with other victims. O’Dell’s shouting during the assault drew the attention of hotel employees, who contacted the police. Cottingham was arrested and later convicted of the murder of 6 women in New York and New Jersey. However, police believe he may be tied to over 100 violent crimes, including murders in Florida, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Connecticut, New York, and New Jersey.
Cottingham, now 79 years old, is currently serving multiple life sentences, so Eberhardt’s case has officially been closed by the Fair Lawn Police following his confession without filing charges.
