110. The Murder of Irene Blase
Part 7 of the Richard Cottingham Victim Series
In April 1969, 18-year-old Irene Blase told her mother she was going to Hackensack, NJ to meet a friend. She never returned home.
The following day, 2 boys made a gruesome discovery a few miles away - the body of a young woman was floating in the Saddle River in Saddle Brook, NJ.
In this episode, we follow Irene’s final day, the new path she was on to better her life, and the people she left behind.
In 2014, investigators would learn that serial killer Richard Cottingham had once murdered a young woman who, according to him, looked like a television actress. This comment would lead to a new confession, but not every detail matched up to Irene’s case file.
This is the 7th part of a series honoring the victims of Richard Cottingham. Please listen to episodes 104 through 109 first.
Content Warning: This episode contains discussion of violent crime. Listener discretion is advised.
Method & Madness is researched, written, hosted, & produced by Dawn Cate
Music by Tymur Khakimov from Pixabay and catch22music!
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Sources:
Long-Buried Secrets: The Serial Killer and the Detective - The New York Times
The Record
Wed, Sep 22, 1982 ·Page 46
Raymond Alves, a registered Sex Offender in West Orange, NJ 7052 at Offender Radar
Rapist Caught After Release Spurs Dispute In New Jersey - The New York Times
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 Torso Killer Confessions” mini-series
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!