Michigan State University Students Crack 41-Year-Old Cold Case Murder in Livingston County
Michigan State University students participating in a cold case internship with Michigan State Police have helped solve a 41-year-old cold case murder in Livingston County, Michigan. The case involves the brutal killing of 16-year-old Kimberly Louiselle, who went missing while hitchhiking in Livonia on March 20, 1982.
Kimberly Louiselle’s body was found over three weeks later near the Island Lake Recreation Area in Livingston County. She had been sexually assaulted, beaten, and strangled. Despite the passage of time, her case remained unsolved until the recent breakthrough.
DNA evidence linked Charles David Shaw to Kimberly Louiselle’s murder. Shaw, who died in 1983, had previously been named as the killer in the murder of 19-year-old Christina Lynn Castiglione. Police also suspect Shaw in another murder, potentially making him a serial killer.
The investigation into Kimberly Louiselle’s case had gone cold until her sister, Cindy Arthurs, took it upon herself to seek justice. She started a Facebook page, posted flyers, and tracked down her sister’s friends in her quest for answers.
It was the Michigan State University students who uncovered Shaw’s name while sifting through old evidence and files. Intrigued, they delved deeper into Shaw’s background and found that he had lived in the same area where Kimberly Louiselle lived around the time of her murder.
With renewed interest in the case, investigators decided to retest the evidence using advanced DNA analysis. Four months later, they made a critical breakthrough—a single sperm cell was discovered among the evidence. The DNA from the cell was uploaded into the system and linked to Shaw, leading investigators to conclude that he was responsible for Kimberly Louiselle’s death.
Charles David Shaw was found dead in Detroit on November 27, 1983, with the cause listed as accidental sexual asphyxiation. While Shaw may have faced his own demise, the resolution of Kimberly Louiselle’s case brings some closure to her family and friends, who have tirelessly sought justice for over four decades.
This development also sheds light on the need to continue investigating cold cases and utilizing advancements in technology to unravel long-standing mysteries. The collaboration between Michigan State University students and law enforcement exemplifies the potential for collective efforts to bring justice to victims and closure to their loved ones.
The case of Kimberly Louiselle serves as a reminder of the lasting impact of unsolved crimes and the importance of never giving up on seeking the truth. As more cold cases receive renewed attention and advanced analysis, there is hope that justice will prevail and those responsible for these heinous acts will be held accountable.
