Rose Hnath : Police Arrest Suspect in 1989 Cold Case Killing of PA Woman

After more than three decades of uncertainty, justice may finally be served in the tragic murder of 78-year-old Rose Hnath in her Lehigh Valley home. Lehigh County District Attorney Gavin Holihan made a significant announcement on Thursday, May 16, revealing that Michael Breisch, now 65, has been charged with homicide and burglary in connection with the 1989 murder.

The Tragic Death of Rose Hnath

Rose Hnath was a widow who lived alone in her home on 2nd Street in the Coplay area of North Whitehall Township, Pennsylvania, close to the Lehigh River. The heartbreaking discovery of her lifeless body and ransacked home was made by family members on the evening of January 21, 1989, after she failed to attend her usual church service.

An autopsy revealed that Hnath had sustained multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma, leading authorities to classify her death as a homicide. It was evident that she had put up a courageous fight against her attacker, as defensive wounds were found on her body.

During the initial investigation, a knife and pellet gun were recovered from the crime scene and a nearby location. These items were meticulously preserved over the years as detectives tirelessly worked to solve the case.

Revolutionary DNA Technology Breaks the Case

Despite years of dead ends, advancements in DNA technology eventually provided a breakthrough in the cold case. By analysing DNA evidence, investigators were able to pinpoint Michael Breisch as the prime suspect in the murder of Rose Hnath.

A spokesperson for the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office expressed gratitude for the preservation of evidence, stating, “Ultimately, the efforts taken to preserve the evidence were rewarded when investigative techniques unavailable in the 20th century helped lead us to the defendant, Michael Breisch, and allowed us to make this arrest in 2024.”

At the time of the crime, Breisch was residing in a community corrections facility in Allentown. Authorities believe that he burglarised Hnath’s residence on the day of her murder, although he has not been linked to a previous burglary at the same location. Following his identification as the suspect, Breisch was apprehended in Ohio, where he had temporarily relocated after a stint in Pennsylvania, before being extradited back to face charges.

Currently incarcerated without bail at the Lehigh County Jail, Michael Breisch faces charges of criminal homicide, burglary, robbery, and other related offences. His preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 21, 2024.

The investigation was a collaborative effort involving Pennsylvania State troopers Jared Christman and Zachary McCornac, as well as Lehigh County Detectives Robert Egan and Joseph Vazquez. Assistance from the Lehigh County Homicide Task Force and law enforcement agencies in Coshocton County, Ohio, was instrumental in the apprehension and extradition of Breisch.

Holihan reassured Hnath’s family that progress had been made in the case, noting, “They’re gratified and relieved that there’s been an arrest made.” Investigators are confident that Breisch acted alone and had no prior connection to the victim at the time of the murder. There are no additional suspects being pursued in relation to Hnath’s death.

Despite the gravity of the charges against him, online court records currently list no legal representation for Michael Breisch.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com