Further reading for the murder of Sister Margaret Ann Pahl.

Sin, Shame & Secrets: A True Story of the Murder of a Nun, the Conviction of a Priest, and the Cover-up in the Catholic Church

Info:

Nothing like a little sacrificial murder to start the day…

1980 Toledo OH, the body of 71 year old Sister Margaret Ann Pahl’s body was found on the floor of the vestibule on what was the former Mercy Hospital. An autopsy revealed that she had chocked to near death before being stabbed in the head, neck and face. An alter cloth had been draped over her body covering 9 more stab would in the she shape of an inverted cross. Her body was arranged in such a way as to suggest she had been sexually assaulted, On her forehead was a smear of blood as if she was anointed in the last rights of the catholic religion.

Rev Gerald Robinson was questioned but told the police that someone had confessed to the murder and due to lack of evidence the case was dropped. Years later the case was reopened after accusations of molestation were brought against Father Robinson, it was then that investigators started to link the murder to him. Looking closely at the alter cloth left on her body, they were able to match a letter opener from his desk to a pattern found on the cloth, and witnesses would place him near the chapel at the time of the murder.

Father Robinson was sentenced to 15 years to life. He fought the conviction but lost and in the end he died in prison.

And then there was some stabbing…

Feb 2006, Gage Park, Chicago. Police were called to the Martinez home for a wellbeing check. No one from the family had been seen in 2 days and the police were notified by a coworker who was concerned. The police found the bodies of the entire family inside the house.

Five of the family members were stabbed to death, the sixth victim was shot. Three different blades weapons were used to commit the murders. The police couldn’t find any indications as to who the murderer could be. The initial theories linked the crime to a burglary gone bad as well as to a cartel hit that targeted the wrong home in error.

3 months later a tip was given that 22 year old Diego Uribe showed up to work the day after the massacre with substantial wounds. After taking samples of his dna police arrested and charged Uribe and his girlfriend Jafeth Ramos in connection with the murders.

Uribe was related to the family through marriage, the police state that he had intended to rob the family but ended up killing all of them instead. They both confessed and were charged with first degree murder, no bail.