The Murder of Evelyn Colon: A Cold Case Unveiled

A Grisly Discovery

On December 20, 1976, the quiet town of White Haven, Pennsylvania, was shaken by a gruesome discovery. Three suitcases, containing the dismembered remains of Evelyn Colon and her unborn daughter, were found along the banks of the Lehigh River. Colon, who was initially known only as "Beth Doe," had been brutally murdered, and the mystery of her identity and killer would haunt investigators for decades.

The suitcases, two striped in red, blue, and white and a third adorned with a tan plaid design, were thrown from a bridge on Interstate 80. The intention was clear: the killer hoped the suitcases would sink into the river's depths, concealing the horrific crime. Instead, two landed in the woods, 20 feet from the water, while the third rested on the riverbank, exposing parts of the body within.

The Horrific Details

Evelyn Colon, only fifteen years old at the time of her death, had been nine months pregnant. She suffered a horrific ordeal; she was sexually assaulted, strangled, and then shot in the neck postmortem. Her body was dismembered with a serrated blade in a manner described as neither surgical nor haphazard. Her nose, breasts, and ears were severed and never recovered. Alongside her remains were straw, packaging foam, and a waterlogged bedspread wrapped around her body parts, accompanied by fragments of The New York Sunday newspaper dated September 26, 1976.

The Initial Investigation

Authorities swiftly removed the remains to the Gnadden Huetten Hospital for examination. An autopsy revealed that the victim, initially believed to be in her late teens or early twenties, had died from strangulation. Her fingerprints and dental records were taken, but no matches were found in national databases. Despite efforts, including a public appeal with a sketch of the victim, leads were scarce.

Investigators noticed a series of numbers inked on her left palm, indicating she might have been right-handed. The writing, WSR followed by 4 or 5, and then 4 or 7, remained a perplexing clue. Yet, the case grew cold as the years passed, and "Beth Doe" remained unidentified.

Renewed Efforts and Breakthroughs

In 2007, the case saw renewed vigor when Colon's remains were exhumed for further forensic analysis. Isotope testing suggested she was born in Europe and had lived in the U.S. for five to ten years, possibly in Tennessee. Despite these advances, her identity remained elusive until 2019.

In a twist, investigators considered a connection to Madeline "Maggie" Cruz, a runaway with a striking resemblance to Colon's reconstructions. However, Cruz was found alive, eliminating her as a potential match. Undeterred, investigators pressed on, and in March 2021, a breakthrough came through familial DNA.

Identification and Arrest

Evelyn Colon was finally identified as the victim, with her nephew, Luis Colon Jr., providing the DNA match that led to this revelation. It was a bittersweet moment; Evelyn had been missing for 44 years. Her alleged killer, Luis Sierra, was charged with her murder. Sierra, 63 at the time of his arrest, had been living in Ozone Park, New York.

At the heart of this tragedy was a tale of young love turned lethal. Colon, of Puerto Rican descent, had been dating Sierra in Jersey City, New Jersey. Colon's family, reassured by a letter supposedly from Sierra, believed she was safe. Tragically, they were wrong. By the time her identity was confirmed, both of Colon's parents had passed away, but her distant relatives in Puerto Rico began efforts to honor her memory.

Legal Proceedings

Despite the arrest, the legal journey faced setbacks. In January 2025, charges against Sierra were dismissed after authorities concluded the murder occurred not in Pennsylvania, but New Jersey. This decision left many questions unanswered, a stark reminder of the complexities and challenges in cold case investigations.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Murder of Evelyn Colon