A 79-year-old Missouri man was arrested Monday in connection to the
stabbing murder of an 18-year-old Illinois woman in 1966, according to the
Cook County State Attorney's office.

Karen Snider was found dead at her home in Calumet City by her husband on
Nov. 12 1966. She had around 125 stab wounds to her chest, neck,
shoulders, arms, legs and head, as well as bruises on her face and hands,
and multiple fractured ribs, per an autopsy, authorities said.

James Barbier was initially arrested for Snider's murder in 1966, but
never charged. Authorities did not share what motive Barbier would have to
kill Snider, but said he was friends with the victim and her husband at
the time.

Barbier returned to his home in Gary, Indiana the night of the murder,
where his wife was with their young child.

"The defendant arrived home and appeared nervous and was observed by her
to have cuts on him, blood on him and blood on his clothes," the state
attorney's office said. "The defendant went inside their home right away,
took off his clothes and put them in the washing machine." Barbier also
attended Snider's funeral with these cuts still visible on him.

In 2022, the Calumet City Police Department reopened the case and sent
items from the scene, including the victim's dress and a blood-stained
bedsheet, for forensic testing. All of the evidence sent for testing came
back positive for Barbier's DNA, which was obtained by detectives in March
2023 by way of buccal swab.

An arrest warrant was issued for Barbier last week, and he was arrested
Monday at his Missouri home. He was extradited to Illinois Wednesday. It's
not clear if Barbier has an attorney at this time.

The state is not filing a petition to detain Barbier pending trial due to
his age, "physical infirmity, and recent caselaw on this pointed issue
concerning the Pretrial Fairness Act and of posing 'a real and present
threat,'" the state attorney's office said.

"However, we are asking for maximum conditions that would include
reporting in person, as well as to be physically present at each of his
court dates."

Barbier had a detention hearing on Thursday, NBC Chicago reported. It's
not clear when he will next appear in court.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/79-year-old-missouri-man-arrested-connection-
stabbing-murder-woman-alm-rcna149765