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WEST HAZLETON — Bodily fluid recovered from the body of 9-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella 55 years ago was used to create a facial image of a man who state police say is probably her killer.

Marise left her house on Alter Street in Hazleton at about 8 a.m. to walk the two blocks to school at St. Joseph’s on March 18, 1964. On the short walk, she was kidnapped, raped and strangled to death.

Her body was found later that day nearly 3 miles away at an abandoned strip mine in the Milnesville section of Hazle Township. Canned goods the girl was carrying to donate at the school were found near the body. Her shoes were found farther away, along with a pocketbook and a school bag.

Hundreds of people were questioned and nearly a dozen suspects were identified.

Now, all these decades later, pioneering technology allows investigators to focus more on certain characteristic in an attempt to identify the killer.

State police Lt. Devon Brutosky said bodily fluids recovered from Marise’s body were sent to Parabon NanoLabs in Virginia.

The company, which has helped authorities solve many cold cases in recent months, created an image of what the killer could look like including the color of their skin, eyes and hair.

Brutosky described the DNA analysis during a Wednesday morning news conference at the West Hazleton barracks.

“Since 1964, hundreds of investigators have looked at this and we do appreciate all their work. They didn’t have the ability to have DNA and we are lucky that we have some of that.”

Brutosky said DNA analysis showed Marise’s killer to have tan and fair skin, green or hazel eyes, and medium brown hair. The analysis even described the killer as being European, specifically from Italy, Greece, or of Middle Eastern descent.

“I found that to be very interesting,” said Brutosky. “If anyone has lived around here, 1964 Hazleton was mostly Italian. There were other Europeans, Slovaks and that type, but a lot of Italian ancestry was here. We didn’t give (Parabon) all that stuff. They gave it to us.”

‘Dedicated to victims’

Thanks to the DNA analysis, investigators could now “put on the back burner” anyone who was deemed a suspect that has blue, brown or black eyes, and anyone who is Asian or Native American, Brutosky said.

One issue DNA analysis did not suggest was the age of the killer.

Because investigators don’t know that detail, Brutosky said three age-enhanced pictures of the man were created at ages 25, 40 and 60.

Even with medium brown hair color, the technology could not produce certain features suchg as if the killer had a shaved head, facial hair, any possible facial scars or if the killer wore eyeglasses.

“Over the past 55 years, this investigation has not stopped. We have new technology as our advantage. We use that technology,” said Trooper Anthony Petroski III, public information officer for Troop N.

“We haven’t given up on this case and I don’t want the public to give up on this case,” Brutosky added. “We’re going to continue to work this investigation and hopefully bring it to a successful conclusion at least to identify who the killer may be, whether they are dead or alive.”

Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Dan Zola noted troopers are “dedicated to victims, not only of the present but of the past. Marise Chiverella deserves this attention. Her case deserves this attention.”

Anyone who recognizes the man’s image is asked to call the Hazleton barracks at 570-459-3890.

Marise Ann Chiverella
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Marise-Chiverella-PSP-03202019.jpg.optimal.jpgMarise Ann Chiverella

From left, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Dan Zola, state police Lt. Devon Brutosky, state police Sgt. Ryan Stefanick, and state police Tpr. Anthony Petroski III speak at a Wednesday news conference to release a DNA facial profile of a suspect in the 1964 murder of a young girl in Hazleton.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Marise-Chiverella-PSP-NewsConf-03202019.jpg.optimal.jpgFrom left, Luzerne County Assistant District Attorney Dan Zola, state police Lt. Devon Brutosky, state police Sgt. Ryan Stefanick, and state police Tpr. Anthony Petroski III speak at a Wednesday news conference to release a DNA facial profile of a suspect in the 1964 murder of a young girl in Hazleton. Ed Lewis | Times Leader

Age 25
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_mt-top-gateway266.jpg.optimal.jpgAge 25 Ed Lewis | Times Leader

Age 40
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_mt-top-gateway265.jpg.optimal.jpgAge 40 Ed Lewis | Times Leader

Age 60
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_mt-top-gateway267.jpg.optimal.jpgAge 60 Ed Lewis | Times Leader

State police released a DNA facial profile Wednesday of man they say raped and killed 9-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella in Hazleton in March 1964.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/web1_Marise-Chiverella-DNA-PSP-03202019.jpg.optimal.jpgState police released a DNA facial profile Wednesday of man they say raped and killed 9-year-old Marise Ann Chiverella in Hazleton in March 1964. Ed Lewis | Times Leader

By Ed Lewis

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