Pennsylvania State Police announced on November 4 that James Richard Clark Sr., a long-haul truck driver who died in July 2023, has been identified as the perpetrator of two cold-case murders from 1976 and 1977 in Washington County. Investigators used DNA technology to link Clark to the deaths of Susan Elizabeth Rush and Brenda Lee Ritter, both of whom were raped and strangled.
Core Findings
- Susan Rush, 21, disappeared on November 24, 1976, after leaving her job at a Washington County shopping center. Her body was found the next day in the trunk of her car, approximately a quarter-mile from her workplace.
- Brenda Ritter, 18, was last seen on May 18, 1977, leaving her boyfriend’s home in Chartiers Township during a thunderstorm. Her naked body was discovered the following day near Roupe Road in South Strabane Township.
Investigative Breakthrough
Corporal James Petrosky of the Pennsylvania State Police’s Troop B Criminal Investigation Assessment Unit stated that DNA evidence recovered from both crime scenes was matched to Clark, who was not a suspect until the recent analysis. Clark died of natural causes at 66 years old in 2023, according to authorities.
Victim Details
- Susan Rush was reported missing by her family after failing to attend a Thanksgiving dinner. Her car was located by her brother the next morning, and her body was found in the trunk.
- Brenda Ritter’s mother initially believed she had stayed at her boyfriend’s home due to severe weather but reported her missing the following morning. Ritter’s body was found on a hillside near Roupe Road.
Investigative Process
State police confirmed that the DNA evidence collected decades ago was recently submitted for advanced forensic analysis, leading to Clark’s identification. The case remained unsolved for nearly 50 years before technological advancements enabled the breakthrough.
Ongoing Developments
Pennsylvania State Police have not disclosed additional details about Clark’s movements or potential motives. The investigation remains closed with Clark deceased, though authorities have not ruled out the possibility of further victims. No official statements have been issued regarding potential investigative gaps or untested evidence from other cases.