James Paul Forte identified as killer of Hazleton girl in 1964

photo of James Paul Forte
photo of James Paul Forte Photo credit PSP Hazleton

HAZLETON, Pa. (AP) — DNA and a 20-year-old genealogy expert helped state police identify the man who abducted, raped and murdered a young girl in a case that rattled a Pennsylvania coal town nearly six decades ago. Nine-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella of Hazleton was taken as she walked to school one morning in 1964. Her body was later found in a waste coal pit. Police identified her killer Thursday as James Paul Forte, a bartender with a record of violent sexual assault. He died in 1980. Police used new DNA technology to develop leads, and a college student, Eric Schubert, who helps police crack cold cases put together an extensive family tree that helped investigators narrow their suspect list.

Marise Ann Chiverella
Marise Ann Chiverella Photo credit PSP Hazleton
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Featured Image Photo Credit: PSP Hazleton