Zionsville, IN (October 16, 2025): Season of Justice is proud to announce that funding provided for advanced forensic testing has helped the Albany Police Department and the Criminal Investigation Resource Center at Russell Sage College identify the perpetrator in the 1964 homicide of Catherine Blackburn, bringing long-awaited answers to her family.
On September 13, 1964, 50-year-old Catherine Blackburn was tragically murdered inside her home in Albany, New York. For 61 years, her niece and other family members sought answers, keeping her memory alive while dedicated investigators preserved the physical evidence collected at the scene.
The critical breakthrough came through a collaboration between the Albany Police Department, the FBI, and the Criminal Investigation Resource Center (CIRC) at Russell Sage College. In recent years, the CIRC, under the direction of Dr. Christina Lane, secured a $9,400 grant from Season of Justice to fund cutting-edge forensic genealogical research on the preserved evidence.
Advanced DNA testing, conducted by Othram Labs, allowed investigators to develop a comprehensive profile from the decades-old evidence, ultimately leading to the identification of Joseph S. Nowakowski. Nowakowski, who was 37 at the time of the murder, died in 1998. The Albany County District Attorney’s Office obtained a court order to exhume Nowakowski’s remains, which provided the DNA sample that confirmed his identity as the perpetrator, conclusively resolving the cold case. Investigators believe Nowakowski may be responsible for other crimes in the surrounding areas and are currently working with nearby agencies to review their cold cases.
Season of Justice is deeply honored to support the unwavering efforts of the Albany Police Department, the FBI’s Genealogy Department, and the innovative work of the CIRC at Russell Sage College, proving no victim is forgotten. We hope this resolution brings a measure of peace and comfort to Catherine’s loved ones. We extend our deepest gratitude to the investigators who never gave up, and to our generous donors, whose support makes critical breakthroughs like this possible. Watch the full press conference below.