Former Chicago Detective Identified as 1960 Child Murderer
PUBLISHED Oct 13, 2026, 7:02 AM ET
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Chicago police announced on Monday that newly discovered DNA linked former homicide detective Thomas McInerney to the 1960 murder of eight‑year‑old Gloria Kowalewicz. McInerney, who had retired from the Chicago Police Department in 1987 and later worked for federal public defender offices in Nevada, died in 2006. The breakthrough came when DNA submitted to a family‑tree website enabled the FBI to connect McInerney to the crime scene. Investigators also confirmed fingerprints and ballistic evidence matched McInerney’s profile. The CPD expressed hope that this revelation brings closure to those who knew Gloria and her story, noting the tragedy that had shocked the city for decades. The case had remained unsolved for sixty‑five years, with over one thousand interviews and extensive forensic work failing to identify a suspect. The new evidence not only solves a long‑standing cold case but also raises questions about accountability within law
By Marcus E. | JQJO News
Timeline of Events
- 1959 — McInerney joined the Chicago Police Department as a homicide detective.
- 1987 — McInerney retired from the Chicago Police Department.
- 2006 — McInerney died, leaving unresolved the 1960 murder.
News Intelligence
- Immediate US impact: Reveals law enforcement accountability gaps.
- Possible long-term US impact: Encourages DNA review of cold cases.
- Most affected groups: Families of cold case victims.
- Reader priority: Understand investigative breakthroughs.
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