Episode #94: Noreen Apjok - Murdered (2003)

Updated: Oct 1

On Tuesday October 28th, 2003, a man walking his dog discovered Noreen Apjok's partially clothed, beaten and sexually assaulted body underneath a picnic table inside a pavilion in a wooded section of McBride Park around 9 a.m. The Allegheny County coroner's autopsy later showed she died of asphyxiation due to compression of her neck. Who would do such a terrible thing to this 37 year-old, how did her body end up here, and why wasn't there any attempt to try to hide her body?

Noreen Apjok

Birth: 9/2/1966 - Death: 10/28/2003

Ethnicity: Caucasian - Sex: Female

Other: At the time of her last known sighting, she was wearing a black, thigh-length Steelers jacket, a gray T-shirt, Nike tennis shoes and jeans. When she was found, her shirt was pulled up, exposing the word "Mad," tattooed across her stomach in Old English print

Hometown: Munhall, PA - Allegheny County

Crime Scene: Pavilion in McBride Park, 31st ward of Pittsburgh

Last Known Location Alive: Eighth Ave in Homestead, PA

Injury Description: Noreen was badly beaten, suffocated and likely sexually assaulted

Suspect Description: Unknown

Additional Information: Noreen was known to date men that treated her poorly and took advantage of her. One who she had been with for a long time –” Joey” or Joseph Evans, would take her money either from a social security or disability benefit check she received or make her trick and would take that money. It was said he was a known criminal with an extensive criminal record.

DNA: Available

Fingerprints: Unknown

Red - 8th Street - Last seen alive

Yellow - last known address

Purple - where body was found

Pictures of the current condition of the McBride Park Pavillion where Noreen’s body was found. (slideshow)

If anyone has information regarding this case, we encourage you to contact Pittsburgh Homicide and ask to speak to someone who works in the cold case department.

412-323-7161

Monday – Friday 7AM –3PM EST

Press releases can be found on the Pitttsburghpa.gov site under Press Releases.

Sources:

Drugs, economy: roots of homicide? | Vindy Archives

Killing surge strains resources | TribLIVE.com

City Briefs: 10/30/03 (post-gazette.com)

Police looking for tips in woman's slaying at park | TribLIVE.com

McBride Park in Lincoln PLACE pittsburgh - Bing Maps

Police looking for tips in woman's slaying at park | TribLIVE.com

A new leap for justice | TribLIVE.com

Justice for Noreen Apjok | Facebook