The Fair Lawn Police Department announced Jan. 6 that the 1965 killing of 18-year-old nursing student Alys Eberhardt has been solved after convicted serial killer Richard Cottingham confessed. Investigators reopened the case in 2021, reexamined evidence and conducted extensive interviews; officials say Cottingham provided details not previously public. Cottingham has been imprisoned since 1981 and is serving three life sentences, and prosecutors said no new charges will be filed to prioritize family closure. Authorities and relatives expressed hope the confession brings a measure of peace after nearly six decades.
Cold Case Closed: 1965 Murder of 18-Year-Old Alys Eberhardt Solved After Serial Killer Confession
Fair Lawn Police Department/FacebookAlys Eberhardt
Fair Lawn, N.J. — Detectives announced Jan. 6 that the decades-old murder of 18-year-old nursing student Alys Eberhardt, killed in 1965 inside her family home, has been solved after convicted serial killer Richard Cottingham confessed.
Case Reopened and Reexamined
The Fair Lawn Police Department reopened the investigation in 2021 and assigned a team to re-examine the file, re-interview witnesses, and review leads. Detectives said they conducted numerous interviews over several years and focused, in part, on a man already serving lengthy prison terms for other homicides.
New Jersey Department of CorrectionsRichard Cottingham
Confession and Key Details
Authorities say Richard Cottingham, who has been incarcerated since 1981 and is serving three life sentences for murders in multiple states, admitted to stabbing and bludgeoning Eberhardt to death and provided specific details about the crime that had not been publicly disclosed. Officials described those details as corroborating evidence that supports his confession.
“Alys was just 18 years old when her life was tragically taken in her family home in 1965. For nearly six decades, her family lived without answers,” the Fair Lawn Police Department said in a news release.
Family Response and Prosecutor Decision
Michael Smith, Eberhardt’s nephew, told local media the family had “waited since 1965 for the truth” and that learning the identity of the killer during the holidays was an emotional moment for relatives. Fair Lawn Police Chief Joseph Dawicki called Eberhardt a “vibrant young nursing student” and expressed hope the confession helps bring some measure of peace, though it cannot undo the loss.
Bergen County Prosecutor's OfficeRichard Cottingham
Bergen County prosecutors and Fair Lawn police said they will not pursue additional charges against Cottingham in this matter, explaining the decision was made to prioritize closure for the family given his existing life sentences and advanced age and health.
Recognition and Legacy
The department publicly recognized the detectives who worked the reopened inquiry and honored the Eberhardt family for their persistence and cooperation. Officials emphasized that the case underscores the value of persistent detective work and that Alys Eberhardt has not been forgotten.
Note: The announcement closes a cold case that remained unsolved for almost 60 years and serves as a reminder of the long-term impact of unresolved violent crime on families and communities.
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