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New York Police Solve 1987 Murder — And Reveal Victim Died a Hero

David Malcom’s death was a mystery for 36 years, but now investigators know what happened.

Verity Partington
3 min readMay 29, 2023
David Malcom, murdered in 1987 (Image: Ithaca PD)

Police in upstate New York have announced they have solved a cold case murder dating back to 1987 with the help of advanced DNA technology.

David Malcom was 26 and had been working full-time at the Red Cross Emergency Community Shelter in Ithaca for around 18 months. Prior to that, he had worked in a psychiatric home and at a Suicide Prevention and Crisis Service, where he counselled troubled teenagers.

However, his generous spirit was cut down in its prime when David was found stabbed to death at the shelter’s office on February 12th 1987. He had been working a 24-hour shift and police thought he had been attacked and murdered at some time during the afternoon of the day before.

David’s death sent shockwaves through his community, with one of his former co-workers Nina Miller telling the Post-Standard in the days afterwards: “He was the best of what young people can be. He was idealistic, sensitive, warm, very bright. He was a wonderful role model for kids. He was really wise beyond his years.”

Unfortunately, the investigation into the murder went cold at the end of 1988 and stayed…

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Verity Partington
Verity Partington

Written by Verity Partington

A writer and author of crime thrillers living in the UK. Partial to books, stationery, papercrafts and walking. You can find her books on Amazon here: https://a

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