A notorious serial killer, connected to 17 homicides across New Jersey and New York, has reportedly confessed to the murder of a New Jersey woman that took place nearly 60 years ago.

In December, 79-year-old Richard Cottingham, infamously known as the “Torso Killer,” confessed to the slaying of Alys Eberhardt, an 18-year-old nursing student discovered brutally murdered in her family’s Fair Lawn residence in 1965. According to the Bergen Record, the case was revisited in 2021, with Fair Lawn authorities suspecting it to be among Cottingham’s earliest crimes.

Prior to his admission, Dr. Peter Vronsky, who is acquainted with Cottingham, informed investigators of Cottingham’s willingness to talk due to his failing health. Cottingham then delivered both oral and written confessions, detailing aspects of the Eberhardt murder and her home that had not been publicly disclosed, as reported by the Bergen Record.

As per NJ.com, Eberhardt suffered a skull fracture and was stabbed 61 times. Her lifeless body was found by her father.

Imprisoned since 1981, Cottingham is currently serving three life sentences at South Woods State Prison in New Jersey. His chilling nickname, the “Torso Killer,” was earned due to the gruesome manner in which many of his victims were found, with their bodies dismembered.

By day, Cottingham worked for an insurance company and lived with his family in Bergen County. Cottingham would carry out the slayings at night, primarily targeting at-risk girls who he would kill at motels and other concealed locations.

Cottingham was convicted of nine murders. He confessed to eight more, but he did not stand trial for them due to non-prosecution agreements. While Vronsky said Cottingham has confessed to killing dozens more, investigators have been skeptical as there has been inconsistencies in Cottingham’s statements.

Fair Lawn police said they are not seeking criminal charges in this case.

“Our family has waited since 1965 for the truth. To receive this news during the holidays – and to be able to tell my mother, Alys’ sister, that we finally have answers – was a moment I never thought would come,” said Michael Smith, Eberhardt’s nephew.

“Richard Cottingham is the personification of evil, yet I am grateful that he has finally chosen to answer the questions that have haunted our family for decades. We will never know why, but at least we finally know who.”

[Feature Photo: Bergen County police; Fair Lawn police]