76-year-old woman accused of fatally shooting her husband 35 years ago
12/13/2022 2:18 pm PST
PERRY COUNTY, Pa. (TCD) -- A 76-year-old woman was taken into custody on suspicion of shooting and killing her husband in their home 35 years ago.
Pennsylvania State Police Lt. Daryl Vankirk and Perry County District Attorney Lauren Eichelberger announced the arrest and murder charge in a press conference Tuesday, Dec. 13. Vankirk said troopers went to Judith and Carl Jarvis' home Aug. 10, 1987, after Judith called to report a domestic dispute. When they arrived, they found Carl suffering from a fatal gunshot wound to the head.
Vankirk said investigators have worked "diligently" since the start of the investigation to provide answers about Carl’s death.
Eichelberger echoed the sentiment and said new DNA technology allegedly links Judith to the crime. She also said Carl and Judith Jarvis were allegedly the only people home the night Carl died.
Investigators took Judith’s pajamas as evidence because there was blood on one of the sleeves. According to Penn Live, Judith told investigators she got bitten by a goose, which caused her to bleed. She also allegedly claimed Carl killed himself.
Penn Live reports Carl was found naked between a bed and a wall in one of the bedrooms. He had reportedly been shot in the back of the head, and the bullet went all the way through the front.
According to the affidavit cited by Penn Live, a forensic pathologist "concluded that it would be essentially impossible for the victim to shoot himself in the manner in which the body was found."
Eichelberger said in the press conference police resubmitted the pajamas as evidence and also took some of Carl’s hair. Blood from the pajamas reportedly matched Carl’s DNA, and that ultimately led them to file charges against Judith.
Judith Jarvis is being held in the Cumberland County Prison without bail.
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