Carol Ann Dougherty
The Crime
On October 22, 1962, nine-year-old Carol Ann Dougherty left her home in Bristol Borough, Pennsylvania, to return books to the local public library. (CRIMEWATCH)
On her route, she paused to pray at St. Mark’s Roman Catholic Church on Lincoln Avenue — a habitual stop for her. (CBS News)
Later, when she didn’t return home, her father found her body inside the church, in the choir-loft landing area, at around 6 p.m. that day. (Wikipedia)
The investigation determined that Carol had been sexually assaulted and strangled, with a ligature, in that sacred space. (CBS News)
A Long-Cold Case
Despite multiple investigations spanning decades, the case remained unsolved for more than 60 years. (The Independence)
In the early 1960s investigators collected physical evidence, including pubic hairs clutched in Carol Ann’s hand, and questioned dozens of male suspects (141 major samples tested). (WHYY)
One man, William Schrader, who lived near the church at the time, was an early suspect: he lived just a block or two away, had no credible alibi for the time of the crime, and left the area shortly after. (CRIMEWATCH)
Breakthrough & Resolution
On October 29, 2025, the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office announced that a grand-jury investigation concluded William Schrader was the person who raped and murdered Carol Ann. (buckscounty.gov)
Key evidence included:
- Schrader’s proximity to the church and lack of credible alibi at the time of the murder. (CRIMEWATCH)
- Forensic hair-analysis: Of the 141 male pubic-hair samples tested from original suspects, only Schrader’s sample could not be eliminated as the source of the hair found in Carol’s hand. (WHYY)
- Confession: Schrader, before his death in 2002, allegedly confessed twice to his stepson that he had “lured the girl inside the church” and “had to kill the girl … to keep her from talking.” (The Keystone Newsroom)
- The grand jury found that, while Schrader cannot be prosecuted (he is deceased), the only reasonable conclusion from the evidence is that he committed first-degree murder and rape. (CRIMEWATCH)
Significance & Impact
- This case is especially notable because the crime took place inside a church, and the investigation spanned over six decades. (6abc Philadelphia)
- Although no criminal trial will occur (since Schrader died in 2002), the formal finding brings closure to the victim’s family and the community. (Inquirer.com)
- It demonstrates how cold-case work, combining decades-old evidence with modern investigative techniques and witness developments, can lead to resolution even after many years.
Summary
What began as a tragic, unsolved child murder in 1962 ended in 2025 with a definitive identification of the perpetrator. Carol Ann’s life was cut short in a place of prayer, but after more than 60 years, the truth has been publicly acknowledged. While nothing can undo the loss, the conclusion brings some measure of justice to her family and reaffirms that no case is ever fully closed until the facts are uncovered.
If you like, I can pull together a timeline of key events in the investigation of this case. Would you like that?
