45 Years Ago This 14-Year-Old Was Stabbed To Death While Babysitting Across The Street From Her House And Her Case Remains Unsolved
Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was February 7th, 1977, and 14-year-old Maria Loraine Honzell was babysitting across the street from her home at the Suncrest Apartments, located at 5410 North Nevada Ave.
The lady that Maria was babysitting for called home and spoke to Maria sometime around 8:30 or 9 that night, and Maria seemed completely fine.
Unfortunately, when she came home that evening at approximately 11:15, Maria was lying dead on her bedroom floor, but the lady’s young sons weren’t touched at all.
Someone had stabbed Maria to death in the home of the family she was babysitting for.
“The caller’s young son told police he had gone to bed around 8:00 PM but something awoke him that caused him to go into the hallway,” the CSPD Cold Case Unit explained in a statement.
“He observed a male holding the victim’s mouth. He heard yelling and screaming, specifically “stop it.” He said the male and Maria then went into his mother’s bedroom.”
“He described the male as white, about 17 years of age, six feet tall, with acne, and wearing a “fluffy” blue down coat, blue jeans, and black sneakers.”
The Colorado Springs Police Department began speaking to the neighbors to see if anyone had seen or heard anything.
Colorado Bureau Of Investigation; pictured above is Maria
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They also spoke to Maria’s classmates and friends, but there just wasn’t enough to point them in the direction of Maria’s killer.
The CSPD Cold Case Unit did reveal that “a significant amount of physical evidence” had been found at the scene of the crime.
Although back in 1977 that evidence was tested, nothing came of it. As technology has increasingly become more advanced in the last 4 decades, the police have continuously tested the evidence that they have in their possession, but still, they don’t have any answers.
“…Insufficient information has been developed to identify a chargeable suspect,” the CSPD Cold Case Unit said.
In just a few days, Maria’s murder will have been unsolved for 45 long years, and her surviving family members are hopefully her cold case could soon be solved.
“Most people who live in Colorado Springs today have never heard Maria Honzell’s story,” Zach Honzell, one of Maria’s relatives, wrote on a GoFundMe page.
“Maria was 14 years old when she was stabbed to death while babysitting at an apartment on the north side of the city in 1977.”
GoFundMe; pictured above is another photo of Maria
“It’s been nearly 45 years since her tragic murder. Her family and friend are still searching for answers, and hoping to find her killer.”
“The purpose of this GoFundMe is to purchase a headstone for Maria and her mother who tragically passed away just 2 months prior.”
“They both were left without one after the passing of her father the payments on her headstone stopped so the company repossessed it.”
Zach noted that if there ends up being money left over after purchasing the headstone, the additional funds will be applied to create a reward fund to finally bring Maria justice.
If you have any information related to Maria’s case, the Colorado Springs Police Department is asking that you call them at 719.444.7000.
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