New effort to solve cold case crimes in Delaware

New Castle County Police hope a new web portal helps solve cold case homicides like the 1986 killing of Jane Prichard. (photo via NCCo Police)

New Castle County Police hope a new web portal helps solve cold case homicides like the 1986 killing of Jane Prichard. (photo via NCCo Police)

New Castle County Police hope a new online portal will shed light on the murders of Jeremiah Macdonald, Nelson Drakeford, Peter Di Sabatino and Jane Prichard.

Jane Prichard was conducting botany experiments in Blackbird State Forest in September 1986. The University of Maryland student was working on her Master’s degree when she was shot to death in the forest. Her body was found by two campers.

Thirty years later, New Castle County Police are still trying to figure out who killed Prichard. Now, they’re turning to a new website to draw attention to Prichard’s case and other cold case homicides still on the books in New Castle County.

“This is an innovative step for cold case homicide investigations in Delaware,” said NCCo Police Chief Col. E.M. Setting.

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The new website accompanies the county’s cold case homicide unit which was formed two years ago. That unit is reviewing evidence, re-interviewing witnesses and holding new interviews in old cases.

“Someone out there knows what happened or has heard something that can help our investigators bring closure to these grieving families, who also are victims of the killers that need to be brought to justice,” said County Executive Tom Gordon said in a statement.

The county, in cooperation with Delaware Crime Stoppers, is offering up to $20,000 in reward money for information leading to an arrest and/or conviction in any violent crime.

In addition to Prichard’s death in 1986, police are also hoping to find new leads in the 2008 murder of 19-year-old Nelson Drakeford near Wilmington, the 2012 killing of 30-year-old Jeremiah Macdonald near Newark, and the 2012 death of 20-year-old Peter Di Sabatino in Newark.

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