Trending Now - New Evidence Emerges in 1979 Janet Walsh Murder Case

WHO:

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Janet Walsh, a 23-year-old woman from Monaca, Pennsylvania, was murdered in 1979.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Brittany Smith, a prosecutor in Beaver County, Pennsylvania, is involved in the case.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Scott Walsh, Janet's estranged husband, was initially considered a suspect.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Robert McGrail, a drifter, was identified as a second suspect.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Ron Ciccozzi, Janet's boss, was identified as a third suspect.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Scott Hopkins, a businessman and councilman, was identified as a fifth suspect.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Francesco Caltieri, Janet's brother, and Sue Niedergal, her best friend, provided personal insights into Janet's life.

WHAT:

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Janet Walsh was last seen on September 1, 1979, after a night out with friends.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Janet was found dead in her apartment with her hands bound and a bandana around her neck, indicating she had been suffocated.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - The investigation initially identified multiple suspects, including her estranged husband, a drifter, and her boss.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - In 2010, new DNA evidence was discovered from the crime scene, leading to a renewed investigation.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Scott Hopkins was arrested in January 2012 and later found guilty of third-degree murder in November 2013.

WHERE:

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - The murder took place in Monaca, Pennsylvania, approximately 30 miles outside Pittsburgh.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Janet's body was discovered in her apartment.

WHEN:

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Janet Walsh was murdered on September 1, 1979.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Scott Walsh and Janet were married on August 14, 1976.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Scott Hopkins was arrested in January 2012.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Scott Hopkins was found guilty in November 2013.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - In 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania granted Scott Hopkins a new trial.

WHY:

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - The investigation into Janet's murder was reopened due to advancements in DNA technology.

HOW:

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - DNA evidence collected from the crime scene was analyzed, leading to the identification of Scott Hopkins as a suspect.

[10:55 AM EDT] - CBS News - Investigators used a warrant to obtain a DNA sample from Scott Hopkins after he refused to provide it voluntarily.

(UPDATED May 14, 2026 15:49 UTC)

Janet Walsh, a 23-year-old woman from Monaca, Pennsylvania, was tragically murdered on September 1, 1979, and her body was discovered in her apartment with signs of suffocation. The investigation initially identified several suspects, including her estranged husband, a drifter, and her boss, but it wasn't until 2010 that new DNA evidence led to Scott Hopkins being arrested in January 2012 and later convicted of third-degree murder in November 2013. In 2020, the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania granted Hopkins a new trial, reopening the case that had remained a mystery for decades.