The day started out like any other for the two sisters as they walked to their grandmother’s house for a visit. “We left home together, and walked for about half an hour to grandma’s house. We had lunch there,” Carol recounted to Dateline. “My sister washed grandma’s hair and styled it in curlers, then she left for her plans in the afternoon, so I stayed with grandma.”
Meanwhile, Beverly headed back home where she was supposed to meet two friends. With both their parents at work, Beverly would have been home alone waiting for her friends. When the first friend arrived, she found the home inaccessible as a typically closed door was open, and a normally open door was shut. Loud music playing upstairs added to the unusual scene.
Concerned, the first friend left and informed the second friend of what had transpired. The second friend then contacted Beverly and Carol’s grandmother, prompting immediate action. Their grandmother sensed that something was amiss and called their father, who rushed home from work upon receiving the distressing news.
Upon his arrival, their father made the grim discovery that Beverly had been strangled and stabbed to death. The tragic event occurred at roughly 1:30pm in Beverly’s bedroom in their Garfield Heights home on December 28, 1964, as confirmed by Detective Mark Menary of the Garfield Heights Police Department.
The cause of death was determined to be strangulation, with critical evidence such as the murder weapon, a rope, being recovered. Carol vividly remembers the heart-wrenching phone call between her father and grandmother, where the word “murder” was repeatedly exclaimed, leaving no doubt as to the severity of the situation.
The devastating impact of Beverly’s murder on Carol’s life was profound, leading to significant changes in her personality over the years. She struggled to process the trauma she experienced at the age of 12, with memories of that period feeling like a blur until she went off to college.
The unsolved case of Beverly’s murder continues to haunt the family, with no charges brought against any suspects. Detective Menary affirmed that the investigation remains a top priority for the Garfield Heights Police Department, underscoring the ongoing quest for justice in Beverly’s case.
“The investigation into the murder of Beverly Jarosz is ongoing,” the statement read. “Recent efforts have included Advanced M-Vac DNA testing on crucial evidence, leading to the discovery of new DNA, witness interviews, and surveillance.”
Menary stated that “The Garfield Heights Police Department has collaborated closely with various law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels throughout this process” and that the department “has maintained regular contact with Beverly’s sister, Carol, to update her on new developments. Our aim is to provide her, her family, and the community with the answers they deserve.”
Detective Menary concluded his statement to Dateline by expressing that “the heinous nature of Beverly’s murder continues to weigh heavily on our hearts, and we remain unwavering in our pursuit of justice.” He later confirmed the existence of suspects in the case, without disclosing their identities, and highlighted that “the advances in DNA testing” have influenced the approach to investigating Beverly’s case.
After six decades of waiting, Carol holds onto hope that she will finally receive closure and justice for her elder sister. She fondly remembers admiring Beverly, who had a passion for poetry and aspirations of becoming a Latin teacher.
“She seemed so refined to me,” Carol remarked. “She enjoyed classical music and wasn’t caught up in the Beatles craze that was popular at the time. One of her Christmas wishes was a complete collection of Shakespeare’s works.”
Among Shakespeare’s verses, Beverly might have pondered upon: “Truth will come to light; murder cannot be hidden long… In the end, truth will prevail.”
On the 60th anniversary of Beverly’s tragic passing, a memorial mass was held at the family church, St. Therese in Garfield Heights, on December 28. It is imperative for the truth to emerge.
