Pennsylvania charges Timothy Krajcir with 1979 murder

Timothy Krajcir has now been charged in four states, in connection with all nine murders to which authorities say the 63-year-old man has confessed.

Pennsylvania became the last state to file charges against Krajcir on Friday, when Berks County District Attorney John Adams charged him with the 1979 murder of Myrtle Rupp.

The 51-year-old woman was found strangled to death in her South Temple, Pa., apartment April 17, 1979.

According to Cpl. William Moyer of the Pennsylvania State Police, seminal fluid obtained from the victim's bedspread provided a positive DNA match to Krajcir.

Krajcir told police he and his parents used to live in the same neighborhood as Rupp when he was around 15 years old, but he doesn't recall seeing her until years later when he returned to the Temple area.

He said he had decided to do some nighttime voyeurism in the neighborhood and spied Rupp in her home. The following night, he broke in and awaited her return, but got scared and fled the scene when he heard her talking to someone else as she was entering the house.

Krajcir allegedly left and returned a week later, where he greeted Rupp at her front door, showing a fake police badge, according to state police. He said he was the officer investigating the burglary.

When Rupp invited him in, he brandished a knife, sexually assaulted and strangled her.

Krajcir will be served with the warrant by Berks County authorities at a later date via video arraignment, according to police.

Illinois, Kentucky and Missouri have also filed charges against Krajcir, in connection with the murders of eight other women. In all but four cases, rape charges were also filed.

bdicosmo@semissourian.com

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