Episode #218: Debbie Makel - Murdered (1973)

keystonecoldcases
Aug 14
2 min read

She was only 8 years old. And her killer was never caught. Third grader Debbie Makel should have grown up. She should have had birthdays, dreams, and a future. Instead, her life was stolen—and the person responsible vanished into history. For years, Debbie’s case has remained unsolved. No justice. Just silence. Someone out there knows what happened. Someone has carried the truth for decades.

Debbie Makel

Birth: 04/25/1965 – Death: 10/05/1973

Ethnicity: Caucasian Sex: Female

Height: Weight:

Hometown: Rices Landing, PA – Greene County

Crime Scene: Debbie was found under a pile of leaves, approximately 200 yards from her home near an old distillery. She was found partially clothed, with a pillowcase covering her head. The area had been previously searched and she was not found, leading people to believe she was placed there during a break in the search.

Last Known Location Alive: Debbie was last seen walking home from her bus stop, wearing a green dress and carrying a pink purse. Her coat, keys, and schoolbooks were in the home, but Debbie was not.

Injury Description: Investigators determined that she had been sexually assaulted before being strangled with a piece of twine. The force used was so severe that it fractured her larynx. There were no defensive wounds.

DNA: In the early 2000s, investigators successfully developed a DNA profile believed to belong to Debbie Makel's killer and entered it into the FBI's CODIS database. Despite the advancement, the profile has never matched any known offender.

Fingerprints:

Any persons with information regarding this incident are asked to contact the PSP Waynesburg Station at 724-627-6151 or you can contact the PSP Tips if you have information on this crime, any serious crime, or wanted person, call PSP Tips Toll Free at 1-800-472-8477 or online at https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=107

All callers to PSP Tips could be eligible for a CASH REWARD for information that leads to an arrest, the solving of a crime/cold case or the location of a wanted person/fugitive or missing person.

All information is accurate as of Release Date and is subject to change or updated.

Media Release #2690