Jane Althoff, an eight-year-old girl, was tragically murdered on April 25, 1951, during a visit to a local carnival in Boothwyn, Pennsylvania. That evening, Jane and her two brothers became separated in the crowd. Despite efforts to locate her, Jane was reported missing when she did not return home. Her body was discovered shortly after midnight in the cab of a carnival truck, indicating she had been strangled to death.
The initial investigation into Jane’s murder led to the questioning and fingerprinting of over 300 carnival employees, but no immediate suspects were identified. It wasn’t until more than three decades later, in 1985, that state trooper Malcolm Murphy reopened the case. Through diligent work, Murphy identified William Henry Redmond, a former ferris wheel operator at the carnival, as the prime suspect. Redmond was eventually located in Nebraska, where he confessed to luring Jane to his truck with candy and then strangling her.
Despite his confession, Redmond’s trial was never completed. He was detained but later released on a $1 bail due to his poor health and old age. Redmond passed away on January 2, 1992, while awaiting trial, and Jane’s case was officially dropped after Murphy refused to reveal the identity of a confidential informant.
Jane’s family, struggling with financial hardships, could not afford to mark her grave with a headstone. For 73 years, Jane’s grave has remained unmarked. Today, The Famous Grave Co has organized a fundraiser to finally honor Jane with a headstone. They aim to raise $1,200 to give her the remembrance she deserves. Any contributions are greatly appreciated to help achieve this goal.
Note:This post was written and edited by James Wright, based on their expertise and research. It is intended for informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. We welcome your feedback and questions on this content. Please feel free to contact us.