Cold Case Murder Investigation Continues

New York State Police are not letting a decades-old homicide case go.

Authorities have issued a news release asking for information in the 1983 murder of 19 year old Bessie Williams of Johnson City who was reported missing November 4, 1983 and her body was found on April 11, 1985 in a wooded area off King Street in the Town of Barker.

A sketch of a suspect depicts a white man with full hair in a comb-over. Authorities say he was believed to be from 20 to 35 years old at the time, standing 5'7" to 5'10" tall with a noticeable pot belly. He had been driving a late 1970s white hatchback, possibly a Ford with a reddish brown interior, stick shift and had New York State license plates.

The suspect’s vehicle was towed by citizens in the fall of 1983 from a field bordering the wooded area where Williams’ body was found.

Investigators say over the years, many leads have been pursued but the case remains open.

Anyone with information is asked to call New York State Police at (607) 561-7497 and ask for Senior Investigator Terry Shultz of the Major Crimes Unit.