Kathy Kolodziej
Katherine “Kathy” Kolodziej was a 17‑year‑old freshman at SUNY Cobleskill, majoring in animal husbandry. She was known for her quiet nature, her kindness, and her deep love for horses.
On the night of November 1, 1974, Kathy went out dancing with friends at The Vault, a bar on Main Street in Cobleskill. She left around 1:30 a.m., wearing a red coat, and crossed the street toward the direction of campus.
Her friends offered her a ride back, but she declined, saying she planned to get a ride from someone else. That was the last confirmed moment anyone saw her alive.
When she didn’t return to her dorm, her roommate reported her missing. Kathy was not someone who disappeared without telling anyone where she was going.
A witness later reported seeing a young woman get into a yellow Volkswagen Beetle around 1:45 a.m. Authorities have never confirmed whether that woman was Kathy.
For weeks, her family and investigators searched for answers. No solid leads surfaced, and the trail grew colder as November went on.
On November 23, 1974, hunters found a single blue shoe near McDonald Road and Cross Hill Road in Richmondville. The matching shoe was discovered nearby.
Later that same day, a group of deer hunters spotted a piece of red cloth in a field along McDonald Road. When they approached, they realized it was Kathy’s red coat.
State police arrived and found Kathy’s body positioned on a low rock wall. She was partially unclothed, and her remains were badly decomposed after nearly a month outdoors.
An autopsy at Albany Medical Center determined she had been stabbed multiple times. The wounds suggested two different weapons had been used.
Over the years, investigators interviewed students, bar patrons, locals, and anyone who might have crossed paths with her that night. They also tracked down owners of yellow Volkswagen Beetles in the region.
Among the names discussed over time was Donald Sigsbee, who has been mentioned in connection with multiple New York cases from that era. Despite speculation, no suspect has ever been publicly identified.
The New York State Police have preserved DNA and fingerprint evidence from the scene. So far, no matches have been made, but advancements in forensic technology continue to be explored.
In recent years, police have used billboards, social media, and renewed outreach to keep Kathy’s case in the public eye. Community members have held vigils to honor her memory and push for answers.
Fifty years later, Kathy’s murder remains unsolved. Her story continues to resurface as researchers, families, and investigators revisit overlapping timelines and names from that period.
Katherine Kolodziej’s case is still open, and even the smallest detail could help move it forward.
If you have information about the murder of Katherine “Kathy” Kolodziej, contact the New York State Police Troop G at (518) 630‑1700 or (518) 783‑3212, or email Crimetip@troopers.ny.gov.
