Who Killed Debbie Makel? The Unsolved Murder Case of a Small Town Child
The unsolved murder of 8-year-old Debbie Lynn Makel, a tragedy that has cast a dark shadow over the quiet town of Rices Landing, Pennsylvania, has remained an eerie enigma for over five decades. On October 5, 1973, the disappearance and senseless death of an innocent child rocked the small, tight-knit community. Since then, Debbie’s name has become synonymous with both heartbreak and mystery. As the years slip by, the search for justice continues, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life and the enduring hope that one day the truth will emerge.
A Quiet Town Shattered
Rices Landing, a small borough in Greene County, Pennsylvania, was the kind of place where neighbors knew each other and children played freely. On that fateful autumn day, Debbie, a bright and outgoing third grader at Dry Tavern Elementary School, rode the school bus home as usual. Debbie’s two older brothers, ages ten and eleven, usually rode the bus with her. However, on this day, Debbie rode the bus alone. Her brothers, Duane Jr. (11) and Vaughn (10), had walked home, intending to trek door-to-door selling magazines for a school fundraiser.
Debbie got off the bus at its stop on Ferncliff Road. From there, it was a short walk to her family’s home at the end of Hoy Street, a quiet dead-end road surrounded by only a few houses. Her brothers said they saw her get off the bus, and neighbors reported seeing her enter the house around 3:40 p.m.
Debbie’s parents, Duane and Charlotte Makel, were at work that day—Duane teaching at Avella High School and Charlotte working in a sewing factory. When Debbie’s brothers arrived home before their parents, they found evidence that Debbie had already been there; her schoolbooks, coat, and house key were inside. But Debbie was nowhere to be found. Initially, they assumed she was playing with neighborhood friends, so they were unconcerned about her absence. However, as evening fell and there was still no sign of Debbie, her family became increasingly worried—it was completely out of character for Debbie to miss dinner.
The Makels contacted the police, and soon, they, along with their two sons, were combing the neighborhood in search of her. Over the loudspeakers at the nearby high school football game, an announcer asked spectators to help look for the missing third-grader. Almost immediately, members of the crowd flooded out of the stadium and began scouring the area. The search stretched late into Friday night and carried on through Saturday, but there was still no sign of Debbie.
Almost every single person in the community was somehow involved, making this one of the largest searches in the area. A command post was established at the Rices Landing fire hall. Neighborhood women provided meals and support for both the family and search parties. Different groups covered the same areas multiple times, and bloodhounds were brought in to track her scent. Roadblocks were set up, and vehicles passing through the area were stopped and checked late into the night. Despite this extensive effort, they found nothing. The town’s entire population, around 700 people, scoured a searched a 3.2-mile radius for one little girl—and still, no trace of her.
It wasn’t until around 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, October 7th, when a group of volunteers noticed a green sock peeking out from the underbrush beside a stream. Tragically, it was then that they discovered Debbie Makel’s body, just 500 yards from her home.
Discovery of a Tragedy
Two days later, on the morning of October 7, 1973, a group of volunteers noticed a green sock peeking out from the underbrush beside a stream. Searchers had discovered Debbie’s body in a wooded area less than 500 yards from her home, near Pumpkin Run creek. Someone had sexually assaulted and strangled her with a rope. The killer had also placed a pillowcase over her head—a grim detail that added to the horror of the crime.
The autopsy confirmed that Debbie had died from strangulation before being assaulted. The brutality of the act sent shockwaves through Rices Landing, leaving residents fearful and devastated. For retired state trooper Elmer “Bud” Schifko, who lived near the Makel family and joined the investigation after Debbie’s body was found, it was an unforgettable case that traumatized everyone involved.
The Investigation
The investigation into Debbie’s murder began immediately but faced significant challenges from the outset. In 1973, forensic technology such as DNA testing did not exist. The police relied heavily on interviews and physical evidence collected at the scene. Detectives questioned hundreds of people in connection with the case, and tips flooded in from across the region.
Despite these efforts, the police made no arrests. Over time, the leads dried up, and the case went cold. The lack of closure weighed heavily on Debbie’s family and the community. Her parents described her as a bright student who excelled in school and loved climbing trees or befriending new children in the neighborhood. Their grief was compounded by unanswered questions: Who could commit such a heinous act? And why?
Advances in Forensic Science
Modern forensic analysis of the crime scene evidence rekindled hope for justice in 2003, decades after Debbie’s murder. Investigators were able to extract a DNA profile belonging to an unknown individual—presumably Debbie’s killer. While this breakthrough provided a critical clue, it has yet to lead to an arrest. New forensic techniques are unlocking fresh opportunities to identify her killer as the technology continues to develop.
Key DNA advancements that could help solve Debbie’s case include Forensic Genetic Genealogy (FGG), Touch DNA and Low-Copy Number (LCN) Analysis, Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), Y-STR and Mitochondrial DNA Analysis, and Mini-STR technology.
FGG is changing the game for cold cases, using public genealogical databases to track down relatives of unknown DNA profiles. This technique, which helped catch the notorious Golden State Killer, could be the key to solving Debbie’s case. By cross-referencing DNA from the crime scene with public genetic databases like GEDmatch, investigators can piece together family trees, possibly tracing a path directly to her killer or their relatives.
Scientists can now extract and analyze even the smallest traces of DNA—like skin cells left on clothing or objects. Modern techniques, such as LCN analysis, provide unprecedented sensitivity, meaning scientists can now reexamine any overlooked DNA evidence from Debbie’s case with a level of precision impossible in 1973.
NGS allows scientists to analyze hundreds of thousands of genetic markers, creating a far more detailed DNA profile than older methods. It’s useful for working with degraded evidence, making it a game-changer for cases like Debbie’s, where time has taken its toll on the original samples.
Forensic scientists can also use Y-STR analysis, which focuses on male-specific DNA, and mitochondrial DNA testing, which traces maternal ancestry. These techniques are valuable when dealing with degraded or partial DNA samples.
Mini-STR technology, already used successfully in other cold cases, targets smaller regions of the genome, allowing scientists to extract DNA from even the most degraded or ancient samples.
Cold case detectives continue to work on solving Debbie’s murder using advancements in DNA technology. In 2013, renewed efforts to identify the perpetrator led to Detective John Marshall’s assignment to the case; he reviewed four thick binders of case files and evidence. In recent years, law enforcement has also sought public assistance through tip lines and media coverage.
A Community’s Silence
It’s puzzling how little open discussion of the case exists within Rices Landing itself. Residents who lived through those events often speak about them only in whispers or behind closed doors. Some speculate that fear or lingering trauma may contribute to this silence. Others wonder if someone within the tight-knit community might hold critical information but has chosen not to come forward.
The Enduring Impact
The murder of Debbie Makel left an indelible mark on her family and community. Her parents have described her as a joyful child who brought light into their lives—a light extinguished far too soon. For those who knew her or grew up hearing about her story, her death serves as both a tragedy and a call for vigilance.
Debbie’s case has also gained attention beyond Greene County through true crime podcasts like Cold and Missing, which highlight unsolved cases, hoping to generate new leads. These efforts intend to both honor her memory and show that persistence and modern technology can solve even decades-old cases.
Similarities to Other Cases
The murder of Debbie Makel shares similarities with other unsolved child murders in Pennsylvania during the 1970s, particularly regarding victim profiles, methods of killing, and geographic proximity. While no definitive connections have been established, these parallels underscore the importance of revisiting these cases using modern forensic techniques like genetic genealogy. Solving one case could potentially unravel others and bring long-overdue justice to the victims and their families.
Debbie Makel, like several other victims, was a young girl targeted in a rural or suburban area. For example, Debbie Capiola, a 17-year-old from Imperial, PA, was raped and strangled in March 1974, just months after Debbie’s murder. Both victims were abducted near their homes and later found in isolated locations. The murders also occurred within a relatively small geographic area in southwestern Pennsylvania.
Many of the cases involved sexual assault followed by strangulation. Similarly, Brenda Lee Ritter, an 18-year-old from North Strabane Township, was raped and strangled in May 1977. These consistent methods suggest the possibility of a serial offender operating in the region during this period, though many feel this is unlikely.
Hope for Justice
As of today, Debbie Makel’s murder remains unsolved. However, advances in forensic science offer renewed hope that investigators may one day identify and bring her killer to justice.
While these advancements offer hope, there are still hurdles to overcome. Forensic genealogy, for example, relies on access to public databases, which may be limited by privacy laws. Even with modern tools, degraded evidence can still pose challenges. However, with continued innovation and persistence, investigators are now better equipped than ever to bring closure to Debbie’s case.
As these new technologies continue to evolve, there’s renewed optimism that cases like Debbie Makel’s, which have long sat cold, might finally see resolution. With a fresh wave of focus and innovative science, justice for Debbie may be closer than ever before.
The Pennsylvania State Police continue to encourage anyone with information about this case—no matter how minor it may seem—to come forward.
Debbie’s story is more than just another entry in cold case files; it is a stark reminder of how one act of violence can forever alter lives and communities. It is also a testament to resilience: the resilience of investigators who refuse to give up on finding answers and of families who carry their loved ones’ memories forward despite unimaginable loss.
For those seeking closure in this heartbreaking case, justice for Debbie Makel remains not just an aspiration but an enduring promise that, no matter how much time passes, we will ensure her voice is heard once more.
Comments