Murder: True Crime Stories – Episode: UNSOLVED: The Library Murder Pt. 1

Host: Carter Roy
Release Date: February 4, 2025

Introduction

In the gripping first part of the "UNSOLVED: The Library Murder" series, host Carter Roy delves into the mysterious and tragic murder of Betsy Aardsma, a 22-year-old graduate student at Penn State. This episode meticulously unpacks Betsy’s background, the circumstances surrounding her untimely death, and the subsequent investigation that left her case unresolved for decades.

Betsy Aardsma’s Background

Early Life and Education

Betsy Aardsma was born on July 11, 1947, in Holland, Michigan, the second of four children in a deeply religious family. Growing up in a small, conservative town, Betsy always aspired to a life beyond her restrictive upbringing. Despite her dreams, she initially conformed to her parents' wishes by attending Hope College, a Christian liberal arts institution, in 1965. Betsy's early years at Hope were marked by her struggle to fit into the rigid environment, where activities were heavily regulated, and social interactions were limited.

"Betsy decided it was finally time to put her dreams first." [05:22]

Transition to Penn State

After two challenging years at Hope College, Betsy successfully transferred to the University of Michigan in the fall of 1967. Thriving in the more vibrant and politically charged atmosphere, she found her true passion in English, switching from pre-med to pursue literature and poetry. Her newfound happiness led her to share an apartment with friends during her senior year, where she met David L. Wright, a pre-med student. Their relationship blossomed quickly, culminating in Betsy following David to Penn State in the fall of 1969 to continue her graduate studies.

The Day of the Murder

Thanksgiving at Hershey

On November 26, 1969, Betsy traveled to Hershey, Pennsylvania, to celebrate Thanksgiving with David and his roommates. The evening was pleasant, but Betsy had to leave early to focus on her studies, despite David’s insistence that she stay for the weekend.

"It would be the last time he ever saw her." [05:22]

Return to Penn State and the Murder

The following day, November 27, Betsy returned to Penn State to prepare for her finals. She spent her time diligently studying at the Pattee Library. Around 4:45 pm, after seeking assistance from Professor Harrison Mezzaroli, Betsy descended into the library basement to locate a specific book. It was there that Dean Brungart, a library employee, heard a crash but initially dismissed it as the noise of metal carts moving books.

Almost simultaneously, students Merrilee Eardley and Joao Uafinda heard the commotion and investigated. They encountered a suspicious man who led them to Betsy lying on the floor, seemingly unconscious. While Merrilee called for help, Joao pursued the mysterious man, who vanished into the night. By the time paramedics arrived, Betsy had already succumbed to her injuries — a precise stab wound to her chest that had severed an artery and pierced her heart.

"Because it was such a clean strike, there wasn't much blood on Betsy's body." [05:22]

The Investigation

Initial Challenges

The discovery of Betsy's body was chaotic, and the crime scene was quickly contaminated by onlookers and janitorial staff. Detectives faced significant hurdles in collecting evidence, leading them to shift focus to potential suspects without substantial clues.

Primary Suspects and Theories

1. David Wright – The Boyfriend

   Despite having an alibi, David became a person of interest due to the nature of Betsy's death. Police considered the possibility that David's ambition in medicine and the strain in their relationship might have played a role. However, testimonies from his peers confirmed his presence in Hershey at the time of the murder, effectively clearing him of suspicion.

2. Larry Moorer – The Fellow English Student

   Larry was another key figure in the investigation. His growing closeness with Betsy raised questions about possible motives. Despite passing a lie detector test, discrepancies in witness descriptions (Larry's stature versus the assailant's) led investigators to dismiss him as a suspect.

3. Random Theories

   In the absence of solid leads, various theories emerged, including Betsy stumbling upon illicit activities or witnessing clandestine encounters. Trace amounts of semen found at the scene fueled speculative narratives, but none provided concrete evidence.

Bill Spencer – A Suspicious Figure

Background and Behavior

Bill Spencer, a 40-year-old sculpture teacher at Penn State, became a focal point of suspicion later in the investigation. Having moved to the area in the fall of 1969, Bill had a history of dubious behavior, including growing marijuana and making grandiose claims about his past, such as being an assassin for the Israeli military.

"Michael says he never forgot the chilling look in Bill's eyes as he stared down at him." [05:22]

Connection to Betsy's Murder

At the annual Christmas party in December 1969, Bill began discussing Betsy’s murder in unsettling detail, claiming she had modeled nude for his sculptures and insinuating he knew more about her death. His erratic behavior and repeated, unfounded claims drew police attention. Despite his insistence on being involved in the case and offering to create a bust of an alleged witness, inconsistencies in his stories and lack of evidence led authorities to dismiss him as a credible suspect. Recognized as a compulsive liar, Bill's obsession with the case only deepened his isolation and deteriorated his mental health.

Cold Case and Renewed Interest

As years passed, Betsy’s case went cold, leaving her family and friends without closure. However, decades later, a group of amateur investigators reignited interest in the case. Through meticulous research and new perspectives, they identified a suspect previously overlooked by law enforcement. Their persistent efforts suggested that this individual had evaded detection and might hold the key to solving the decades-old mystery.

"And they were certain that 30 years after her death, he had Betsy Aardsma's blood on his hands." [05:22]

Conclusion and Teaser for Part Two

Carter Roy concludes the first part of the series by highlighting the unresolved nature of Betsy Aardsma's murder and setting the stage for further investigation in the next episode. Listeners are left anticipating a deeper exploration into the cold case and the possible breakthroughs that could finally bring justice for Betsy.

"Come back next week for part two of our series on the murder of Betsy Aardsma." [05:22]

Conclusion

This episode of "Murder: True Crime Stories" offers a comprehensive and engaging exploration of the tragic and unsolved murder of Betsy Aardsma. Through detailed storytelling and insightful analysis, Carter Roy paints a vivid picture of Betsy's life, the circumstances of her death, and the complexities of the investigation that followed. As the series continues, listeners can expect further revelations and potential resolutions in Betsy's enduring case.

Notable Quotes:

• "Betsy decided it was finally time to put her dreams first." [05:22]
• "It would be the last time he ever saw her." [05:22]
• "Because it was such a clean strike, there wasn't much blood on Betsy's body." [05:22]
• "Michael says he never forgot the chilling look in Bill's eyes as he stared down at him." [05:22]
• "And they were certain that 30 years after her death, he had Betsy Aardsma's blood on his hands." [05:22]
• "Come back next week for part two of our series on the murder of Betsy Aardsma." [05:22]

Stay Connected:

For more true crime stories and updates on the "Unsolved: The Library Murder" series, follow Crime House on Instagram @crimehouse and tune in every Tuesday.

Credits:

This episode was brought to life by the Murder True Crime Stories team:

• Max Cutler
• Ron Shapiro
• Alex Benedon
• Natalie Pertzovsky
• Sarah Carroll
• Greg Benson
• Beth Johnson
• Russell Nash

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