109. Jackie Harp
This is the 6th part of a series honoring the victims of Richard Cottingham. Please listen to episodes 104 through 108 first.
In July 1968, 13-year-old Jackie Harp left drum corps practice in Midland Park, New Jersey, and began the short walk home. She never arrived. Hours later, a quiet suburban town was turned upside down when Jackie was found murdered in the woods less than half a mile from her house. The case would go unsolved for more than 50 years.
In this episode, we follow Jackie’s final day, the immediate search that gripped her family and community, and the investigation that ultimately stalled despite hundreds of interviews and early leads.
Method & Madness is researched, written, hosted, & produced by Dawn Cate
Music by Tymur Khakimov from Pixabay
Sources:
Long-Buried Secrets: The Serial Killer and the Detective - The New York Times
The Record
Wed, Sep 22, 1982 ·Page 46
The Record
Wed, Apr 26, 2000 ·Page 11
After 'Torso Killer' confession, NJ loved ones explain how 1960s murders changed their lives
Daily News
Sat, Feb 17, 1968 ·Page 7
The Record
Thu, Jul 18, 1968 ·Page 9
The Star-Ledger
Tue, Oct 31, 1967 ·Page 1
Parents Find Daughter Raped And Slain in L.I. Shopping Area - The New York Times
Decades later, ‘Torso Killer’ charged in killing at NY mall
‘Torso Killer’ Charged in Strangulation of Long Island Woman in 1968 - The New York Times
Richard Cottingham Pleads Guilty to 1968 Cold Case Murder • Nassau County DA,NY
The Jersey Journal
Fri, Feb 03, 1967 ·Page 2
The Star-Ledger
Wed, Feb 01, 1967 ·Page 6
The Herald-News
Sat, Apr 15, 1967 ·Page 13
The Morning Call
Sat, Apr 19, 1969 ·Page 1
The Herald-News
Thu, Nov 02, 1967 ·Page 4
Crime Scene: The Times Square Killer — Netflix Documentary Series
“The City” — The New York Times
“How a Detective Delved Into the Mind of N.J.’s Torso Killer to Close Brutal Cold Case Murders” — The Record
“Torso Killer: Ailing Richard Cottingham Confesses to More Murders” — The Record
“‘Crime Scene’ Reveals True Depravity of ‘Times Square Killer’” — The Herald-News (May 2, 2021)
“New Jersey Cold Cases: Girl Murders 1960–1980” — Research Compilation
Archival articles accessed via Newspapers.com
Archival news reports accessed via American Archive of Public Broadcasting
Additional research assistance provided by Dr. Peter Vronsky and archival reporting from regional New Jersey and New York newspapers.
Thank you for listening!