New DNA testing in cold case killing of 12-year-old Mary Theresa Simpson
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – The Elmira Police Department says it received a grant to pay for “advanced DNA testing and analysis” in the 1964 unsolved killing of Mary Theresa Simpson. The 12-year-old’s body was found on a hill, covered in rocks and debris, four days after she was reported missing. Nobody was ever arrested or charged.
Mary Theresa Simpson’s sister, Linda Galpin, says she has been waiting for justice for her younger sister for more than 60 years.
“Well, I can only tell you a little bit because I wasn’t home when my sister got murdered,” Galpin said. “We were very close when we were younger. We went to the Neighborhood House, we went to Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, we did roller skate together. We went to camp together. We took dancing lessons together. She was a very active person, and she was very shy.”
“I know when she was with my dad, she still continued to be active and go to school,” Galpin added. “She was a very good student. We do go over to the cemetery because it’s right over here, Saint Pete’s, and we put flowers there.”
On Sunday March 15th, 1964, Mary Theresa Simpson was reported missing by her father, Ellsworth Simpson. Before she disappeared, her sister says Mary was on her way to her Aunt’s house. She was reportedly last seen around 6:30 p.m. near the corner of East Market and Harriet Street. People found her body four days later in a wooded area off Combs Hill Road.
“I just know she was found up on Combs Hill. She was covered up with boulders and a hand was sticking out. She was fully clothed when they found her, and I guess she had twigs in her mouth, that’s what I heard,” Galpin said.
Over the years, several possible suspects were cleared. Most people who were initially involved in the case have died. On March 15th, the 60th anniversary of her disappearance, the Elmira Police Detective Bureau announced it received a grant from a non-profit called “Season of Justice.” In a press release, Sgt. William Goodwin said the money would pay for “advanced DNA testing and analysis” on a DNA sample found on Mary’s blouse in the year 2000 by New York State Police.
The press release says “Recent advances in DNA technology will allow the recovered profile from the blouse to be used for genetic genealogy and family tree research.”
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“Suspicions went around, people assuming who it was, this and that, and came about to my dad and one of my friends. But, I have no idea. We all love her and miss her” said Galpin.
“Do you have any personal thoughts on what you think happened?” asked reporter Nick Dubina.
“I have some thoughts, but they told me the person might be cleared,” Galpin answered. “And the person who I think did it, I don’t think that person meant to hurt her. I think they just got into a disagreement, and she fell down the stairs and they didn’t know what to do.”
“You knew this person? Dubina asked.
“Yes.”
“They’re not around anymore If I may ask?
“No.”
“And you’re not going to identify them here, right? You don’t have to do anything you don’t want to.”
“I actually thought it was my father,” Galpin said. “My father and Dave Lewis.”
Galpin says Dave Lewis was her father’s friend and roommate. Both are deceased.
“You know with my dad, I tell my dad every day, I’m sorry if it’s not him. I told my dad that to his face, that I thought he killed my sister,” Galpin said.
“May we ask what his reaction to that was?”
“He didn’t like it too well. He said no, I didn’t. Then when he passed away, he took all her pictures with him,” Galpin said.
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In 2019, then Police Chief Joseph Kane told 18 News DNA testing alone may not be enough to identify the killer.
“Once we find who that might belong to, then we still have to show they may have been involved in her death,” Kane said. So, we have to consider what could be the source of that DNA. If we find it on a blouse, could it be the person who washed or folded that blouse. DNA is not the cure-all. It’s not the absolute, one thing that tells you what they did. It’s another tool in the toolbox, and we have to use as much of that as we can.”
“It has been over 60 years,” said Galpin. “They could have pressed a little bit harder. Ya know, to dig in a little bit more before you know, everybody’s gone. I’ll probably get in trouble, but I don’t think they did a really good job. The police that first found her, I think they were trying, but we didn’t have DNA back then.”
“I just wish and hope that they could settle this for once and for all. I really do. And I do thank them if they’re trying hard.
“So, you would like to see justice served, no matter how long it takes?
“Yes, I would like to see justice served,” Galpin said.
You can watch the full interview with Linda Galpin below.
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