How she was found guilty on complete circumstantial evidence is beyond me. Now, I read the FBI admits errors in hair testing over decades for hundreds of cases. Within weeks, the FBI was assisting, and pleas for information were circulating nationwide. The authorities charged her with two counts of murder. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. On some of the hairs were blood later determined to belong to Joann or Alex Katrinak. Plus, he had only a minimal life insurance policy on Joann and he passed polygraphs, according to The FBI Files: Family Secrets. Patricia Lynne Rorrer made for a good suspect. His wife's vehicle was discovered in a parking lot 100 yards away from their house. Joann Katrinak had plans to meet her mother for an afternoon of Christmas shopping. Meanwhile, the case of the missing mother and baby turned into colossal news across the U.S. and internationally. Unbloody vehicle. They had no murder weapon and no witnesses to tie Patty and Joann together yet there is a witness to tie Andy and Joanne together, probably the last person to her alive. Katrinak said Monsignor Robert Siffrin, general vicar of Youngstown, was looking for priests from Slovakia, "I met him (Siffrin) 10 years ago. Oops, something didn't work. They noted houses near the murder scene would have heard a gunshot in December, when no farm equipment is making noise, and question why the murderer didnt just kill Joann inside her house instead of risking being seen in public in her car. According to a Morning Call account from March 5, 1998: McIntyre leaned forward conspiratorially like someone trying to persuade another to tell a secret, lowered his voice and said: Heres what I want to know: After you killed Joann Katrinak, did you kill that baby or just leave it to die?. Rorrer's ex-boyfriend, Andrew Katrinak, was the husband of Joann Katrinak and Alex's father. Cleveland, OH ERIK KATRINAK OBITUARY KATRINAK ERIK J. KATRINAK, age 39. Neither his parents nor Joann Katrinaks parents would comment. The state police dropped him as a suspect. So lets get going on the recap of the Forensic Files episode A Woman Scorned, along with extra information drawn from internet research: Joann Marie OConnor was born on Oct. 11, 1968, the youngest of Sarah and David OConnors four children. ). For this week, I looked into the defenders reasoning as well as Patricias whereabouts today. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Its like hes trying too hard to keep suspicion off him. These documentaries only show what they want in order to reinforce their case. Lehigh County District Attorney Robert Steinberg credited DNA tests with helping to crack the case. The family just wants to be left alone.. Her mother, Patricia Chambers, provided day care for their baby son, Charles. No charmed life. Prosecutors offered Patricia a plea deal that would take the death penalty off the table, but she declined. Funeral homes; Help and advice. Andrew G. Katrinak of Little Rock, Ark., beloved husband of the late Josephine Gawlowicz Katrinak, died peacefully at his home on Sunday, October 31, 2004. Thanks for using Find a Grave, if you have any feedback we would love to hear from you. Later, they both worked 12-hour graveyard shifts at a textile factory. The series was produced by Joe Berlinger, who made the Paradise Lost documentaries, which garnered actor Johnny Depps attention and ultimately helped free the West Memphis Three. Four months after Joanns disappearance, farmer Paul Kovalchik reported seeing what at first looked like a pile of clothes on his land in Heidelberg Township woods, about 15 miles from the Katrinaks house. KOREAN WARSon of Martin & Theresa (Novotney) Katrinak and husband to Veronica B. GREAT NEWS! Try again. cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Getting your facts from documentaries isnt the way to go. Prove them wrong! Try again later. Bob Reutter, special agent in charge of the FBIs Philadelphia office, praised the bureaus forensics lab, which has come under scrutiny over the past year. At 6 a.m. on June 24, 1997, police arrested Patricia at her modest house in Linwood, North Carolina, and took her back to Pennsylvania. I believe innocence. Police brutality seemed to be a problem as well. Please find out if the DNA of the baby was tested!! But thats just some of the ammo on Team Patricias battleship. "In the back of our minds we knew something had to come to an end. Why would Rorrer be eaten up with jealousy given that she had long since moved on with her life and was in another relationship at the time? Save to an Ancestry Tree, a virtual cemetery, your clipboard for pasting or Print. A Lehigh County jury in 1998 found Patricia Rorrer, now 52, guilty of murdering 26-year-old Joann Katrinak and her 3-month-old son, Alex, and sentenced Rorrer to life in prison. Both sides agree Joann hung up on Patricia. Andrew Katrinak buried his wife and infant son yesterday, four months after he began a frantic, nationwide search for them that ended without answers this week in a patch of Lehigh County woods. How does Rorrers child, who died from SIDS, have any relevance to the infant victim, simply because they were of similar age? Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Andrew Katrinak (177355560)? Patricia defaulted on her mortgage and then returned to North Carolina, where she eventually moved in with a boyfriend named Brian Ward. Other loyal friends and associates attested to Patricias kindness toward horses and devotion to her daughter, whom she took along as she worked in stables. memorial page for Veronica Barbara Panik Katrinak (11 Jul 1929-14 Sep 2011), Find a Grave Memorial ID 77704153, citing Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic . Learn about how to make the most of a memorial. But to me this ommission was intentional. Kidnapped and killed? Most of all, Patricia said, she would like a rematch with prosecutor Michael McIntyre. ABOUT THE CASE Following the disappearance of Joann and Alex Katrinak, Joann's husband Andrew told police he believed someone had broken into his house, cut the telephone line and abducted his wife and son. Joann Katrinak - 349. The prosecutor laughed and humiliated her in the interview. The police were probably under a great deal of pressure to solve this case, so it seems as though they tried to fit a square peg into a round hole, disregarding ethics and possibly even the law. The murders initially made James, called Jimmy, a . The conversation ended with Joann Katrinak angrily telling Rorrer not to call again, police said. Catasauqua, Pennsylvania. Tragedy also touched Patricias life. Minutes would have shown up on that phone record to prove Patty answered mom spoke to her about why Andy was calling, and showing mom calling Andy back! 1. Survivors include a brother, William Katrinak of Shelton; a sister, Helen Caselli of Milford; nephews, Robert Katrinak of the Sandy Hook section of Newtown, and. Is it possible that JoAnn was having an affair or had a stalker? At the trial, prosecutor Michael McIntyre alleged that Patricia remained obsessed with Andrew Katrinak long after their breakup despite testimony that shed had many boyfriends and live-in lovers to occupy her bandwidth. Are you sure that you want to report this flower to administrators as offensive or abusive? He was born in Bethlehem son of the late Martin. He had worked as a semi-pro boxer in Las Vegas in his youth and later settled into his own construction business. Joann was fun, likable, beautiful, always happy, said her sister-in-law Cindy Wiard. Meticulous primping. Continuing with this request will add an alert to the cemetery page and any new volunteers will have the opportunity to fulfill your request. An email has been sent to the person who requested the photo informing them that you have fulfilled their request, There is an open photo request for this memorial. 0 cemeteries found in Stratford, Fairfield County, Connecticut, USA. Ide like to know WHEN Patricia actually dyed her hair dark?? Six of those hairs were found in the headrest of Joann Katrinaks tan Toyota, left in a lot just 50 yards from her home. Despite the new evidence and hypotheses, the courts have rejected all of Patricias bids for a new trial. Prosecutor pounds away. Joanns family was unwilling to speak with OReilly. or don't show this againI am good at figuring things out. And even prosecutor Michael McIntyre, who wrote the book Hair Trigger about the case, acknowledged to Keith Morrison that it was a little odd that the police found blood on the hairs in Joanns car but nowhere else in the vehicle. We have set your language to Are you sure that you want to delete this photo? Loving father of Brittany, Lizzie and Teagan. Dial-a-problem. Theres a great deal to show that Rorrer has received a bum rap. More hairs there. Sad discovery. His father confirmed his alibi that they were doing construction work together, putting an addition on the house of friends Tom and Kathy Holschwander, at the time of Joanns disappearance. The police report misspells his name (Troutman) and doesnt include his address, suggesting authorities didnt want anyone to track him down, according to Patricias side. Pfeiffer and Burke claimed that police Sgt. He was the husband of Fay C. (Moll) Katrinak, celebrating 64 years of marriage on November 19, 2013. She had dropped out of school at the age of 17 to marry her partner and subsequently worked long graveyard shifts at a textile factory to provide for their family. Rorrer was convicted of murdering Joann Katrinak and her 3 month old son. Then 31 years old, she had lived a rocky existence. Make sure that the file is a photo. Did the police check Rorrers car and check the mileage? Failed to report flower. I would never want to see an innocent person in Prison for a crime they did not commit. Translation on Find a Grave is an ongoing project. Are you looking for Andrew Katrinak 2016 We are providing you official link and a number of helpful material for your query. Ide like to know WHEN Patricia actually dyed her hair dark?? A year later, his wife and son were dead and a For Sale sign stood outside their home. Supposedly he did not see the cut line for several hours after identifying that his wife and son were missing. Drake, CO (4) Refine Your Search Results. Condolences to the family. . DNA testing revealed the blood came from either Joann or her son. I find it appalling and scary that the police labeled a potential witness as crazy and disregarded his statement-even finding humor (on television) in denying this man an opportunity to discuss what he witnessed. In TV clips, Andrew didnt come off as anguished. Meanwhile, interest in Patricias plight continues on social media. Sorry! Now retired, he declined ForensicFilesNow.coms invitation to spar directly with Patricia via a podcast. On April 9, 1995, a Heidelberg farmer found the remains of two bodies in a patch of woods. Did they test the DNA of the baby to see if the father Andy Katrinak was actually the father? Patricia also pointed out that when author Tammy Mal started her research and speaking to me, she was not an advocate at all but she reversed and ended up advocating for Patricias innocence. He had worked as a semi-pro boxer in Las Vegas in his youth and later settled into his own construction business. Try again later. There is a problem with your email/password. Remind me to never go to that PA. Was the babys DNA tested to follow up on the witnesses account of a couple fihting? Switching of hairs, OMG they manufactured evidence. The one that was allegedly purchased at a yard sale and would usually stick after the first shot. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. I think they framed her straight up. Watched this program in ID last night and just sick at how law enforcement, mainly the DAs office, bungled evidence and sought only for conviction. Your last statement makes it seem youd be more than happy to head a lynching party. Dance defense. Survivors include a brother, William Katrinak of Shelton; a sister, Helen Caselli of Milford; nephews, Robert Katrinak Read More, Submit an obit for publication in any local newspaper and on Legacy. They released a poster of Joann and Alex, noting that the baby had almond-shaped blue eyes, weighed 18 pounds, and was circumcised. Find-A-Grave: Joann M. Katrinak Woman Held In Catasauqua Killings Man Recalls Day His Wife, Baby Vanished As Katrinak Double-murder Trial Opens Farmer Describes Finding Bodies Of Katrinak, Son Defendant Takes Stand In Katrinak Case Jury Rejects Alibi, Finds Rorrer Guilty In Double Kidnapping-murder Case Woman found guilty in Lehigh Slayings All of his cackling made my skin crawl. Drive all that way out where they found the car, and did Patty walk back to NC? Andrew Katrinak 's birthday is 09/01/1954 and is 68 years old. Try again. Episode 203 of Star' Wrong Man examines the murder of Joann Katrinak and her baby. In 2014 she released Tortured Minds: Pennsylvanias Most BizarreBut ForgottenMurders, a collection of little known murders from the 1930s. Shes extremely, extremely happy with the baby. This flower has been reported and will not be visible while under review. As for the murder weapon, police didnt find a .22 caliber pistol on Patricias property, but an ex-boyfriend claimed that she owned one and it would always jam after one shot. A unique . Katrinak was ordained in 1996. Deal refused. These are basic questions the jury should have been asking themselves. DA s took the easy way out. I thought the same thing from the start!!!!!! Do we have a record of account of a phone repair company going out to his residence to fix this CUT LINE before he made these phone calls to Pattys mom? Please check your email and click on the link to activate your account. The Worldwide Womens Criminal Justice Networks website also points to a bombshell: In 2015, the Justice Department acknowledged that most of the team members from an FBI microscopic hair comparison unit gave prosecutors flawed data from 1980 to 2000 that could have unjustly contributed to a number convictions including Patricia Rorrers. Did Patty walk to the house make all this noise get them in the car, since it was Joannes car found, and Andy never heard the car turn on and leave the house? And Patricia wasnt all edges. Please reset your password. How could she have gone and leave both scenes? There was a problem getting your location. Great catch. OReilly felt bad about opening old wounds and considered not writing the book until she saw a recent episode of On the Case with Paula Zahn, entitled Driven to Kill. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Tammy Malinowski OReilly is a writer and true crime enthusiast. The sponsor of a memorial may add an additional. Lieutenant Christopher Coble and Sergeant Suzanne Pearson would later testify that Patricia cried and apologized to 18-month-old Nicole, telling the baby, Im sorry for doing this to you and lamenting to the officers that she would never see little Nicole again. Joann Katrinak, and her baby, had planned to go Christmas shopping with her mother-in-law but she never arrived to pick her up despite calling to say that she was on her way there. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? Has anyone considered looking for photos of Patricia immediately prior to the murders? They theorize that Andrew Katrinak framed Patricia and that the hostile phone call between Patricia and Joann actually took place not on Dec. 12 as Andrew said but rather on Dec. 7. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? Incriminating words. Patty was clearly home when Andy called her mother, why not check the moms phone records to her daughter at 3am. They lived together at some point but broke up in 1991, and Rorrer moved into her. My husband passed away of a broken heart, Sarah OConnor said on the Montel Williams Show in 2001. And in November 1995, they received her hair and blood samples. This account has been disabled. Failed to report flower. ), And in another bombshell, Joanns good friend Karen Devine said Joann planned to leave Andrew after the holidays. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate, or jump to a slide with the slide dots. . Patricia Rorrer, an ex-girlfriend of Joann's husband, was found guilty of the crimes and sentenced to life in prison. Born on January 24, 1964, in eastern Pennsylvania, Patricia Rorrer spent most of her life going back and forth between the Keystone State and North Carolina. On closer inspection, he saw it was the body of a woman. Verify and try again. Resend Activation Email, Please check the I'm not a robot checkbox, If you want to be a Photo Volunteer you must enter a ZIP Code or select your location on the map. Fifteen or 20 years ago, this is the sort of crime that could have possibly gone unsolved, state police Capt. The day she passed was her 62nd anniversary of the day she married her loving husband, Andrew Katrinak of Bethlehem. How did she drive 500 miles and back? Failed to remove flower. Seriously, he really knew she NEVER backed into a parking place??? Add to your scrapbook. Or did they? Maria, Please accept my deepest sympathies.Bob Massa, Dear Barb and Andy, so sorry to hear about your dad. Year should not be greater than current year. Both were deceased. They also found a photo of Patricia taken 11 days before the homicide. Trash-talking ex. I agree, why wasnt the baby DNA tested? You are nearing the transfer limit for memorials managed by Find a Grave. But her reputation wasnt exactly sleek and shiny. And Andrews explanation of how the intruder got in through the basement door seemed contrived, according to Grube, who gave an interview to Wrong Man, a 2020 true-crime docuseries from the Starz network, which produced two episodes called The Hang Up about the Rorrer case. Traupman claimed that when he reported the dispute, trooper Robert V. Egan III got mad and practically kicked him out of his office. Family members found Joanns tan Toyota sitting vacant in the parking lot of McCartys, a nearby bar. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. Try again later. Remind me to never go to that part of PA. You all need to look at all the evidence they have on Rorrer n this damn case..where the bodies were found..hmm just so happens to b Rorrers past horse stomping grounds..the phone calls she made to Joann up until she disappeared n then the calls stopped..Andy n Joann were happy n that was his damn baby..it was all over pure jealousy think about it Rorrer shot her in the face..Joann was a beautiful girl and shes not and Joann had Andy and she didnt and Joann had Andys baby and Rorrer had a baby boy that died around the same age as Alex..Rorrer was ate up with jealousy if she couldnt have Andy then neither was Joann so bottom line Rorrer guilty 100% and she is where she needs to be the only thing messed up in this damn case is that she did not get the death penalty!! I just find it IMPOSSIBLE to believe she traveled all that distance and it was not proven. The episode recounted the Katrinak murders and there, appearing regularly on-screen to discuss the crime and those involved, were members of Joanns family as well as several of the original officers who worked the caseso much for no one wanting the case brought back up.. May he rest in peace. Click or call (800) 729-8809. Weeks later, state police traveled to North Carolina to interview Rorrer, according to a probable cause affidavit. I was so excited that I called everyone, and Joanne picked up the phone and she said Andy is married, and I said I know, then she said we have a baby, and I said yea I know, then she said dont ever call here again. Sorry! But investigators conceded they had no solid evidence against Andrew. This browser does not support getting your location. (A good point. Year should not be greater than current year. Three days later, Joann had plans to pick up her mother-in-law, Veronica Katrinak, to go Christmas shopping. Failed to delete memorial. This browser does not support getting your location. Weve updated the security on the site. And the fact that Patricia called Andrew even after he married someone else didnt mean she was still carrying a torch for him, according to one of her friends. Public Records & Background Search Andrew G Katrinak, age 84, Little Rock, AR Background Check Cities: Little Rock AR Andrew J Katrinak, age 68, Drake, CO Background Check Always such a sweet and kind man! You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. Katrina King Andrew Greensboro, North Carolina Also known as: katrina.k.andrew Guilford County Department of Public Health WFMY News 2 Katrina currently lives in Greensboro, NC. If you notice a problem with the translation, please send a message to [emailprotected] and include a link to the page and details about the problem. He gave an audio interview to the Wrong Man investigators when they made a surprise visit to his house, but he declined to appear on camera. December 15th, 1994. There was a problem getting your location. She would let it go-thinking that justice was served and she would now have to do her time for committing the crime! You can always change this later in your Account settings. This is one that we were not going to forget.. Obituary Frederick John Katrinak, age 70, formerly of Perryopolis, passed away Friday, January 24, 2020. That prosecutor with the greasy yellow teeth made me sick. They moved into her house in Salisbury County, staying together for about two years. What did she drive back home in? Joann Marie O'Connor Katrinak Birth 11 Oct 1968 Hackettstown, Warren County, New Jersey, USA Death 15 Dec 1994 (aged 26) Germansville, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania, USA Burial Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Cemetery Bethlehem, Northampton County, Pennsylvania, USA Plot Halfway down the hill from the cemetery entrance and on the right. If he wasnt the father it would collaborate that Andy and Joann might have had a heated argument prior to her death (as the older man had suggested). Still, no good leads materialized. Your account has been locked for 30 minutes due to too many failed sign in attempts. Crooked investigation and prosecution authorities saw to that. Although the family didnt want to talk to the writer, Patty Rorrer did. If she was already a brunette how could she have left dirty blonde hairs? She had a suitcase packed, Devine said. Drag images here or select from your computer for Andrew Gerald Katrinak memorial. His favorite rattle, shaped like a phone, lay near the crime scene. This account already exists, but the email address still needs to be confirmed. Why would somebody tell you, theyre going to fry me, if they didnt do it? Jarrett told Wrong Man. On April 9, 1995, the bodies of Joann Marie Katrinak and her 15-week-old son, Alex, were found in an isolated location. Patricia and her husband broke up after the babys death. After she wrote them a letter asking for an interview she was contacted not by the family, but by the officer who investigated the case and was told: Nobody wants you digging into this case, and no one is going to cooperate with you. Learn more about merges. He was born in Bethlehem son of the late Martin and Theresa (Novotney) Katrinak. She failed miserably to convince me, or anyone else who mattered, of her innocence. If Patricia drove it back from the murder scene after she shot Joann and then beat her to death, luminal would have lit up the interior. Learn more about merges. based on information from your browser. She would let it go-thinking that justice was served and she would now have to do her time for committing the crime! The problem is, she is the only person with any feasible motive to do this Can you even imagine a mother & child in your neighborhood being executed by anyone other than someone with deep emotional & vindictive motives? If you have questions, please contact [emailprotected]. Katrinak, 26, and her 3-month-old son disappeared on Dec. 15, 1994. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Are you sure that you want to delete this memorial? In the past, Andrew has also been known as Andy Katrinak, Andrew J Katrinik, Andrew J Katrinak, Andrew Katrinah and Andrew J Katrinak. The mother had been beaten and shot in the face. Conflicting versions. Just saw this and i am horrified at how this case was handled. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Please reset your password. Suzanne Pearson fabricated quotes from Patricia including her claim that Patricia said, Im going to the electric chair upon her arrest because a conviction would boost Pearsons career. Flowers added to the memorial appear on the bottom of the memorial or here on the Flowers tab. Your email address will not be published. Thank you for fulfilling this photo request. He was born in Bethlehem son of the late Martin and Theresa (Novotney) Katrinak. Seriously, he really knew she NEVER pulled straight into a parking place??? I watched the 2 part show right now. Katrinak, Andrew J. Andrew Joseph Katrinak, 88, of Bethlehem, died on Wednesday, January 21, 2015 at Blough . Forensic tests suggested the hair found in the car and at the murder scene came from Patricia. Please ensure you have given Find a Grave permission to access your location in your browser settings. The prosecution alleged that Patricia called the Katrinaks house from a pay phone in Pennsylvania. Hours later, Katrinak was papering the region with fliers describing his missing wife and son. More than 20 years after her conviction, Patricia Rorrer still has advocates working to exonerate her. Detective Barry Grube found it odd that Andrew fixed the severed phone line before police examined it in essence tampering with evidence. As manager of this memorial you can add or update the memorial using the Edit button below. Oops, some error occurred while uploading your photo(s). Uncle Andy you will missed thank you for all the joy and happiness you brought to my life you were the best. Learn all the facts before you mouth off and get off your high horse. I believe someone would not go to such lengths to prove evidence. Another witness, Walter Traupman, who never testified, had told state troopers that on the day of Joanns disappearance, he saw a couple who looked like Joann and Andrew arguing about the paternity of a baby. Because this case is still in appeal status, many of the discrepancies OReilly has found cant be listed, but more things are happening every day. Mal told Keith Morrison that Patricias dance teacher originally confirmed her alibi that she was in class on the day of the murder, then changed his mind. 10 Memories. Period! 1968 - 1995 Born October 11, 1968 Death April 9, 1995 Summary Joann M Katrinak was born on October 11, 1968, and died at age 26 years old on April 9, 1995. More than two years after Joann Katrinak and her infant son, Alex, vanished from their Catasauqua home, state police on Tuesday charged her husbands ex-girlfriend with killing them. Then wont move the car from car parking lot. I knew when Andy got married and I was happy for him. Stable situation. Please complete the captcha to let us know you are a real person. Family members linked to this person will appear here. The December 1994 kidnappings of Joann Katrinak and her 4-month-old son, Alex. I also find it strange Andy didnt want to move the car when the police told him he could do so! Try again later. He was preceded in death by brother Richard, in infancy, parents John Katrinak and Mary Litvin Katrinak, brothers-in-law Jim Marchelletta and George Ryan and sister-in-law Betty Jean Katrinak. Photos larger than 8Mb will be reduced. Men who murder are conventional, women are sensational, posits the Worldwide Womens Criminal Justice Network. How the court system cant see all this and give her another day in court with new evidence is unjustly. As for an epilogue on ex-flame Andrew Katrinak, he has moved to Colorado and kept a low profile since the trial ended. A phone line to the Katrinak home had been cut, and the basement door forced open. Quickly see who the memorial is for and when they lived and died and where they are buried. Previously sponsored memorials or famous memorials will not have this option. How would an intruder find it? Why was the police scene cleared at 11pm that door and phone lines would have jumped out at anyone!! cemeteries found within kilometers of your location will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Were they murdered because she angrily hung the phone up on Patty Rorrer?