Episode 646: The Unsolved Murder of Jeannette DePalma

Feb 17, 2025

The chilling case of Jeannette DePalma's unsolved murder unfolds from her mysterious disappearance to the shocking discovery of her remains. The investigation reveals eerie circumstances, including rumors of occult symbols and speculative media narratives. Family miscommunication and societal fears complicate the tragedy, illustrating how sensationalism overshadowed real investigation. Focus shifts to the need for rational analysis amidst the chaos, highlighting systemic failures in both the media and law enforcement. Can the truth finally emerge from decades of speculation?

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ANECDOTE

Conflicting Memories of Jeanette

Jeanette DePalma worked with at-risk youth at the Evangel Church.
Conflicting memories paint her as both a "wild child" and a devout Christian.

ANECDOTE

Jeanette's Disappearance

Jeanette's cousin Lisa ran away, and her parents waited a month to tell her.
Upset, Jeanette was given extra chores, delaying her plans with friends.

INSIGHT

Police Response and Community Rumors

In the 1970s, police procedures for runaway cases differed significantly from today.
The DePalma family's perceived lack of cooperation may have stemmed from pre-existing community rumors.

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On the afternoon of August 7, 1972, sixteen-year-old Jeannette DePalma left her house in Springfield, NJ and was never seen alive again. Six weeks later, Jeannette’s remains were discovered when a neighborhood dog returned to its owner at a newly built apartment complex, carrying Jeannette’s badly decomposed arm in its mouth.

The news of Jeannette’s death spread quickly around the small town and the rumors about the circumstances were not far behind. According to witnesses, the girl’s body was surrounded by occult symbols and objects, and within a few weeks news outlets began reporting that Jeannette had been the victim of ritual human sacrifice.

For more than five decades, the murder of Jeannette DePalma had fascinated New Jersey residents and has even captured the attention of news outlets from around the country and occasionally around the world. Yet the more coverage the case receives, the more the rumors of occult murder and Satanism seem to grow, obscuring the more relevant facts and the tragedy at the heart of the case.

Thank you to the Incredible Dave White of Bring Me the Axe Podcast for research and Writing support!

References

Associated Press. 1972. "Police probe death of girl." Asbury Park Press, October 3: 11.

—. 1972. "Witchcraft seen possible in teen-age girl's death." Central New Jersey Home News, September 30: 3.

—. 1972. "Was girl black magic victim?" Courier-News (Brunswick, NJ), September 30: 1.

Burks, Edward. 1971. "'Satan cult' death, drugs jolt peaceful Vineland, N.J." New York Times, July 6: 35.

Chadwick, Bruce. 1972. "Priest's theory: devil's disciples killed girl." Daily News (New York, NY), October 4: 399.

Hughes, Sarah A. 2021. American Tabloid Media and the Satanic Panic, 1970-2000. New York, NY: Palgrave Macmillan.

Lenehan, Arthur. 1972. "Springfield cops find girl's body." Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), September 21: 10.

—. 1972. "'Witchcraft' implicated in DePalma murder." Star-Ledger (Newark, NJ), October 3: 8.

Muscavage, Nick. 2019. "What happened to Springfield teen found dead near Watchung Reservation in 1972?" Courier News, August 23.

Pollack, Jesse, and Mark Moran. 2015. Death on the Devil's Teeth: The Strange Murder That Shocked Suburban New Jersey. Gloucestershire, UK: The History Press.

Schwartz, Art. 2015. "Conspiracy or serial killer?" Hudson Reporter, January 25.

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