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Chicago police identify detective Thomas McInerney as killer

By Drooid · Oct 17, 2026, 4:19 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

McInerney Identified Killer

Chicago police identified former homicide detective Thomas F. McInerney Jr. as the killer of 8-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz.
DNA and a fingerprint from the victim’s purse matched McInerney, who died in 2006 at age 70.
Kowalewicz vanished on Nov. 12, 1960 while walking to St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church.
Her body was discovered four hours later in a forest-preserve ditch southwest of Chicago.

Summary

UChicago Bans Suspect

University of Chicago identified a non-student person of interest and banned them from campus.
Chicago police used statements, campus camera footage, and license-plate reader data to confirm the suspect.
The alleged assault occurred at 1:50 a.m. Sunday in an Alpha Epsilon Pi fraternity house bathroom.
A 21-year-old non-university woman reported being drugged, unconscious, and assaulted; witnesses said a crowd cheered.
AEPi national headquarters halted all chapter events and mandated anti-harassment training for members.

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McInerney Identified Killer

Chicago police identified former homicide detective Thomas F. McInerney Jr. as the killer of 8-year-old Gloria Kowalewicz.
DNA and a fingerprint from the victim’s purse matched McInerney, who died in 2006 at age 70.
Kowalewicz vanished on Nov. 12, 1960 while walking to St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church.
Her body was discovered four hours later in a forest-preserve ditch southwest of Chicago.

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