Betsy Aardsma was murdered in Pattee Library in 1969. Her killer was never apprehended. Few things are as torturous to a family as unresolved loss. the same goes for the writer that chooses to dust off a murder more than three decades old.

by Sascha Skucek

On November 28, 1994, stacks supervisor Tom Whalen walked through the Pattee Library Level 2 core. If he didn’t before realize the significance of the date, he did shortly thereafter.

A candle burned solemnly in an aisle of the core. Twenty-five-year-old newspaper clippings lay scattered, and someone had written on the floor with red marker: R.I.P Betsy Aardsma, born July 11, 1947, died November 28, 1969.

The clippings all referred to the library murder that thrust Betsy Aardsma’s name and image into the public eye in 1969. By 1994, it had been years since police investigated the library for clues—years since they set up hidden cameras in the stacks in search for a killer. In light of the coldness of the case, perhaps the most troubling detail in Whalen’s 1994 discovery were the last two words in the message: I’m back.

News of Whalen’s finding was kept relatively quiet. Although the police were summoned, the lonely shrine and ominous message were soon forgotten. Then, in 1999, another message was found.

To read the complete story see our April 2004 issus of State College Magazine.