Cold Case Files: "Damn His Soul To Hell" – Detailed Summary

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "Damn His Soul To Hell," Paula Barros delves deep into one of Hazleton, Pennsylvania's most haunting unsolved mysteries. This episode chronicles the tragic murder of nine-year-old Maurice Ciavarella in 1964, a case that baffled investigators for decades before finally seeing resolution through advancements in forensic technology and unwavering investigative persistence.

The Disappearance of Maurice Ciavarella

The story begins on a cold, late winter morning in Hazleton. At [02:34], Marissa Pinson sets the scene:

"It's March 18, 1964, in Hazleton, Pennsylvania. Nine-year-old Maurice Ciavarella grabs her gloves and leaves for school, never to return." [02:34]

Maurice, a bright and loving child, typically walked to St. Joseph's Academy with her siblings. On that fateful day, she left a few minutes early to bring canned goods to her classroom in preparation for the feast day of St. Joseph.

Community Shock and Immediate Aftermath

Maurice's absence was quickly noticed. At [04:02], Devin Brutoski, a lieutenant with the Pennsylvania State Police, explains:

"They speak to the instructor that would be her homeroom teacher. That instructor says, I haven't seen Maurice either and I have her marked absent through the morning classes. That's when they realized something went terribly wrong." [04:02]

The community was thrust into chaos. Ronald Ciavarella shares the family's anguish:

"What's happening to my family's life? Why have we been inflicted with such a horrible injury?... Could the perpetrator have been someone within our own family?" [01:05]

The local priest was notified, and the family was informed that Maurice had not returned home. The initial investigation was swift, with law enforcement questioning everyone close to Maurice.

Discovery of Maurice's Body

Three days after her disappearance, Maurice's lifeless body was discovered near a coal stripping pit by Arthur Robinson and his nephew. At [05:15], Devin Brutoski recounts:

"He notices something approximately 25 feet down a slope from the top of the garbage dump area... At first, he thought it was a doll, but as he got closer, he realized it was a little girl." [05:15]

The autopsy revealed a horrifying truth: Maurice had been brutally assaulted, strangled, and beaten. Lieutenant Devin Brutoski details the grim findings:

"She was sexually assaulted. She was strangled and beaten... The cause of death was listed as homicide." [08:59]

Initial Investigation and Early Suspects

The investigation initially focused on individuals within the community. At [16:44], investigators mention Bruce Hildebrand, a known local troublemaker:

"Bruce Hildebrand had a lot of problems with alcohol... He confessed but later recanted his confession, attributing it to a state of depression." [16:44]

Another suspect, Harold Nichols, emerged but met a tragic end before providing any meaningful leads:

"Harold Nichols... committed suicide prior to coming in for the polygraph examination." [20:44]

Despite these leads, the case stalled, and Maurice's murder remained unsolved, leaving the community in fear and the Ciavarella family devastated.

Decades of Silence: The Cold Case

For over fifty years, Maurice Ciavarella's murder case lingered unsolved. The Ciavarella family endured immense pain, with Ronald Ciavarella expressing enduring frustration:

"I never gave up on Maurice's case." [21:33]

By 2007, advancements in DNA technology offered a glimmer of hope. Investigators re-examined Maurice's clothing and extracted seminal fluid, creating a DNA profile. However, initial database checks yielded no matches.

The Breakthrough: Genetic Genealogy

In 2017, a new investigator took the helm, bringing fresh perspective and technology to the table. At [25:48], Marissa Pinson highlights the pivotal moment:

"That forward movement comes in an email to Lt. Brutoski from an unlikely source. Eric Schubert is a forensic genetic genealogist." [25:48]

Eric Schubert's expertise in genetic genealogy proved instrumental. By analyzing Maurice's DNA and building extensive family trees, Schubert traced potential suspects to the Palmeno family, specifically focusing on James Paul Fort.

Confirming the Suspect: James Paul Fort

After meticulous research and DNA matching, the team zeroed in on James Paul Fort, a man with a troubling past. At [37:42], the Lieutenant reveals:

"We were 99% sure that James Fort was gonna be our suspect in this homicide." [37:42]

Despite Fort's passing in 1980, investigators obtained DNA from his exhumed remains. A dramatic moment occurred during exhumation when a crucifix inexplicably appeared through a narrow slit in the coffin, symbolizing what many saw as divine confirmation.

On February 3, 2022, nearly 58 years after the murder, DNA evidence conclusively linked James Paul Fort to Maurice's death:

"We received the results from our DNA lab, and James Paul Fort matched the DNA profile from the semen stain on Maurice Ciavarella's jacket." [39:26]

Family and Community Closure

The Ciavarella family finally received closure. Ronald Ciavarella expressed profound gratitude:

"I'll never stop praising the Pennsylvania State Police for the work they've done on Maurice's case for the last 58 years. Amazing." [40:06]

Carmen Marie Radke, Maurice's sister, emphasized the family's resilience and love:

"I want people to know how wonderful my parents were, showing us that hate was not the way to go. Hate to them would have just destroyed us, and we just had love for each other and that helped us get through all those years." [40:30]

Conclusion

"Damn His Soul To Hell" serves as a testament to the relentless pursuit of justice and the transformative power of modern forensic science. Maurice Ciavarella's case, once a source of fear and sorrow, finally saw resolution, providing solace to a grieving family and a community that never forgot.

Notable Quotes:

• Ronald Ciavarella at [00:48]: "What's happening to my family's life? Why have we been inflicted with such a horrible injury?"

• Mark Barron at [01:23]: "It was a question the community was asking for over half a century."

• Devin Brutoski at [08:59]: "The cause of death was listed as homicide."

• Marissa Pinson at [25:48]: "Eric Schubert is a forensic genetic genealogist... I would love to do it."

• Devin Brutoski at [39:26]: "James Paul Fort matched the DNA profile from the semen stain on Maurice Ciavarella's jacket."

• Ronald Ciavarella at [40:06]: "I'll never stop praising the Pennsylvania State Police for the work they've done on Maurice's case for the last 58 years."

This comprehensive summary encapsulates the emotional journey, investigative challenges, and eventual triumph in uncovering the truth behind Maurice Ciavarella's tragic demise.