Pennsylvania man arrested in 16-year-old Ohio girl's death, closing 1985 cold case
Jason Reed, with a background in sociology from West Virginia University, has dedicated the last 5 years to uncovering community stories in Pittsburgh. His work has appeared in various local outlets, where he exclusively reports on grassroots initiatives and social justice issues.
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A Pennsylvania man has been arrested in the 1985 death of a 16-year-old girl from Ohio, bringing the 41-year cold case to a close, the Westmoreland County district attorney announced on Thursday. Sixty-one-year-old James Kruczek of West Mifflin has been arrested for stabbing Lottie Jo Gunn, who was found stabbed to death along Turner Valley Road in North Huntingdon Township on May 24, 1985, District Attorney Nicole Ziccarelli said. A friend of Kruczek's told investigators that in the spring of 1985, Kruczek had picked up a girl, killed her and dumped her body in the Coulter area. Ziccarelli said thanks to tips made to her office and advances in DNA testing, county detectives were able to match DNA found on Gunn's clothing to Kruczek's DNA.Lottie Jo Gunn (Photo: Westmoreland County District Attorney's Office) "It took 41 years to get here," Ziccarelli said. "We made an arrest and Jim Kruczek spent the night in prison last night and