A 79-year-old man was arrested at his home in Missouri on accusations he murdered an 18-year-old woman over 57 years ago in Calumet City, Illinois.
Suspect James Barbier was apprehended Monday on the charge of first-degree murder in the killing of Karen Snider, 18, in November 1966.
Snider was found by her husband dead in bed with 125 stab wounds. Mr. Barbier is alleged to have broken into the home and attacked her.
The couple’s infant daughter remained in her crib unharmed, according to The Associated Press. Mr. Barbier was a co-worker of Snider’s husband at a rail yard and even served as a pallbearer at Snider’s funeral.
He was arrested in 1966 but never charged.
“The police noticed at the funeral that he had wounds, so he was on their radar then,” Snider’s daughter, Paula Larson, said according to Chicago ABC affiliate WLS-TV.
A new submission of blood evidence to a DNA lab in 2022 turned up Mr. Barbier once again as a suspect, ultimately leading to his arrest, according to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
Snider’s daughter says parts of the family have always suspected Mr. Barbier.
“Had he had more time — or maybe been even more deranged than he actually is — again my opinion — maybe he could have eliminated me as well. My family, on my father’s side, had always said ‘this is the man,’” Ms. Larson said, according to another Chicago station, WGN-TV.
Due to his medical history, infirmity and age, Mr. Barbier was released to home custody Thursday while he awaits trial. He is due back in court on May 21.
Snider’s brother Bill Neaves said, “I can’t imagine seeing him sitting there and for 57 years he was free, and my sister’s been in the ground,” according to Chicago CBS affiliate WBBM-TV.
