18-Year-Old Cold Case May Soon Have An End18-Year-Old Cold Case May Soon Have An End
(CBS 3) PHILADELPHIA After almost 18-years, it appears a Philadelphia murder mystery may be solved through a set of bizarre circumstances.
Police found the remains of a young girl in the athletic field of a Central High School in the fall of 1987. Authorities ruled girl’s death a homicide, but because of the condition of her remains the case went unsolved.
Forensic sculptor Frank Bender was called in to assist in identifying the skeletal remnants of the mystery victim. He used the remains to create a bust of the young girl.
“This bust is one of the most unusual identifications I’ve ever gotten,” said Bender.
When she saw Bender’s photo next to the bust in a local newspaper, a woman recognized the girl as her niece, 18-year-old Rosella Atkinson.
“This led to the positive identification on April 23rd of 1990, as the remains were those of Rosella Atkinson,” stated Capt. Mike Costello of the Philadelphia Police.
Despite the fact Atkinson was identified, her killer was still a mystery. Because of a lack of evidence, the case went cold.
But Thursday, police were given another break in the case. 53-year-old Brian Hall walked into the 14th District and confessed to the crime.
Officials have not released the details of Hall’s confession, but say he just felt the need to tell his story. There is no word if Hall has yet been charged with Atkinson's murder.
Atkinson’s mother is thankful the ordeal may soon have an end.
“I believe in God and I think that he can take care of all things,” said Atkinson’s mother, Freedeina Carney.
http://kyw.com/topstories/local_story_273190253.html