District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer and Captain James Dougherty of the Ridley Township Police Department announced that the victim of a 1978 homicide has been identified as Kevin Alvin Jude Carroll.
The victim’s remains were discovered on Dec. 13, 1978, in Ridley, Pennslyvania. The victim had been shot multiple times.
An extensive investigation was conducted at the time the remains were found, but the victim remained unidentified, and no suspects were identified. The unidentified victim’s information was uploaded to the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs).
In December 2021, Ridley Township Detective Tim Kearney was contacted by Amelia Pearn of the Veteran Doe Network, an organization started by volunteer military family members to bring attention to the many missing veteran/active duty cases and unidentified person cases where there is a possible military connection. Pearn advised that the unidentified victim might be a match for another entry in the NamUs system, Kevin Alvin Jude Carroll. Carroll had been missing since December 1978 after leaving McGuire Air Force base, which is near Trenton, New Jersey. Carroll had been discharged from the service, and had sent all of his belongings to his home in Oregon, but he never made it home.
Kearney reviewed photographs of the homicide victim and of Carroll, and concluded that there were similarities. On March 22, 2022, following a multi-agency investigation, the victim was conclusively identified as Kevin Alvin Jude Carroll.
“For nearly half a century the family of Kevin Carroll has sought answers in connection with the death of their loved one. We hope that today’s announcement brings a degree of closure,” said Stollsteimer. “To the families and friends of other missing persons, we hope that this case demonstrates that your loved one will not be forgotten. Obviously, we would all like to know the circumstances of Mr. Carroll’s death. Today’s announcement is an important milestone, but it is the beginning, not the end. The public should rest assured that our law enforcement partners will continue to investigate and follow any leads that may develop.”
“The District Attorney and the Ridley Township Police Department would like to extend their heartfelt thanks to Amelia Pearn for her work with the Veteran Doe Network, without which this identification would not have been made,” said Dougherty. “Thanks also to the representatives of NamUs who aided in the investigation, as well as the Federal Bureau of Investigations and the National Personnel Records Center. Finally, thanks also to Detective Melissa Ferron of the Marion, Oregon Sherriff’s Department for her assistance with the identification.”
Anyone with any information about this case is asked to contact the Ridley Township Police Department at 610-532-4000.
Republished courtesy of District Attorney Jack Stollsteimer’s Office. Photo credit: DA's Office.