79-year-old man charged with murder in 1966 Calumet City death
Calumet City and St. Louis County law enforcement officers arrested 79-year-old James Barbier this week and he was charged with first-degree murder in the 1966 stabbing death of 18-year-old Karen Snider.
Police officers found Snider at a home on the 400 block of Wilson Avenue Nov. 12, 1966, with more than 120 stab wounds, police said.
The investigation stayed open until December 2022 when investigators began re-interviewing witnesses, re-examining evidence and tracking down additional leads, the department said.
The new investigation led Barbier to be named as a suspect.
Cook County Judge Daniel Maloney ruled Thursday Barbier can be released pending trial, but with conditions he must report to the probation department, surrender his passport to Calumet City police, refrain from possessing a firearm or other dangerous weapon and not travel out of state except to Missouri, where he lives.
Barbier was arrested April 29 in Creve Coeur, Missouri. The St. Louis County sheriff’s office assisted with the arrest and Barbier was returned to Calumet City for his detention hearing Thursday.
Calumet City police Chief Kevin Kolosh did not respond to requests for comment. A news conference with members of Snider’s family is expected to take place on Monday, according to a city spokesman.
