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Chicago identifies detective as 1960 Gloria Kowalewicz killer

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 4:37 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Chicago Police Department identified homicide detective Thomas F. McInerney, Jr. as the killer of 8-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz.
Investigators used newly discovered DNA and a preserved fingerprint in 2026 to link McInerney to the 1960 murder.
McInerney served Chicago police from 1959 to 1987 and investigated for federal public defender offices in Nevada until 2004.
Brother Adam Kowalewicz expressed relief at the ID but frustration McInerney died without facing justice.

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Story summary

U.S. Chicago Police Department identified homicide detective Thomas F. McInerney, Jr. as the killer of 8-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz.
Investigators used newly discovered DNA and a preserved fingerprint in 2026 to link McInerney to the 1960 murder.
McInerney served Chicago police from 1959 to 1987 and investigated for federal public defender offices in Nevada until 2004.
Brother Adam Kowalewicz expressed relief at the ID but frustration McInerney died without facing justice.