Betsy Aardsma
Encyclopedia
Betsy Ruth Aardsma was a 22-year-old graduate English
major from Holland, Michigan
, who was stabbed to death in the Pattee Library
at the Pennsylvania State University
in State College, PA
in 1969.
While at the library, at some point between 4:45 PM and 4:55 PM, Betsy was stabbed a single time through the heart with a single-edged knife, approximately 3.25 inches long. She fell, and a minute or so later, one or two men exited the core stacks and told a desk clerk that "Somebody better help that girl." A call was placed to the Ritenour Health Center at 5:01 PM, and by 5:19 PM she was at the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was wearing a red dress and the wound produced only a small amount of visible blood. Until she was examined at the medical center, no one had realized she'd been stabbed, and first responders thought perhaps she had a seizure
or medical ailment. The identity of the man/men who spoke to the desk clerk has never been determined.
In 1990, Pamela West, an author who had researched the case in the 1980s, wrote a book called "20/20 Vision," which was a science-fiction story based on the details of the case. West stated that she had originally intended to write a true crime story, but was concerned with libel issues related to the fact that so many people involved were still alive at the time.
The television show Paranormal State
featured a small segment on Betsy's murder in their first season. Penn State Paranormal Research Society head Ryan Buell
wanted to conduct a paranormal investigation in the library's stacks, but college officials would not allow it, claiming that they were hesitant to bring more publicity/attention to the allegation.
Her murder is unsolved after 41 years as of November 2010 and the Pennsylvania State Police
are still actively seeking information on the case.
In October 2010, news stories have brought more information to light, based on new research performed by Sascha Skucek and Derek Sherwood. Other articles include in the October, 2010 State College Magazine, and "Who Killed Betsy Aardsma" in The Penn Stater's September/October 2009 issue. Updated information about the case is available at
In July 2011, "Who Killed Betsy: Uncovering Penn State University's Most Notorious Unsolved Crime," a book about the Aardsma murder and the subsequent investigation, was released by Pine Grove Press. More information is available at
English studies
English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language , English linguistics English studies is an academic discipline that includes the study of literatures written in the English language (including literatures from the U.K., U.S.,...
major from Holland, Michigan
Holland, Michigan
Holland is a city in the western region of the Lower Peninsula of the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated near the eastern shore of Lake Michigan on Lake Macatawa, which is fed by the Macatawa River ....
, who was stabbed to death in the Pattee Library
Pattee Library
The Penn State University Libraries consists of 36 libraries at 22 locations in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The two main buildings on Penn State's University Park campus are the Pattee and Paterno libraries.-History:...
at the Pennsylvania State University
Pennsylvania State University
The Pennsylvania State University, commonly referred to as Penn State or PSU, is a public research university with campuses and facilities throughout the state of Pennsylvania, United States. Founded in 1855, the university has a threefold mission of teaching, research, and public service...
in State College, PA
State College, Pennsylvania
State College is the largest borough in Centre County in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. It is the principal city of the State College, Pennsylvania Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses all of Centre County. As of the 2010 census, the borough population was 42,034, and roughly double...
in 1969.
While at the library, at some point between 4:45 PM and 4:55 PM, Betsy was stabbed a single time through the heart with a single-edged knife, approximately 3.25 inches long. She fell, and a minute or so later, one or two men exited the core stacks and told a desk clerk that "Somebody better help that girl." A call was placed to the Ritenour Health Center at 5:01 PM, and by 5:19 PM she was at the hospital, where she was pronounced dead. She was wearing a red dress and the wound produced only a small amount of visible blood. Until she was examined at the medical center, no one had realized she'd been stabbed, and first responders thought perhaps she had a seizure
Seizure
An epileptic seizure, occasionally referred to as a fit, is defined as a transient symptom of "abnormal excessive or synchronous neuronal activity in the brain". The outward effect can be as dramatic as a wild thrashing movement or as mild as a brief loss of awareness...
or medical ailment. The identity of the man/men who spoke to the desk clerk has never been determined.
In 1990, Pamela West, an author who had researched the case in the 1980s, wrote a book called "20/20 Vision," which was a science-fiction story based on the details of the case. West stated that she had originally intended to write a true crime story, but was concerned with libel issues related to the fact that so many people involved were still alive at the time.
The television show Paranormal State
Paranormal State
Paranormal State is an American paranormal reality television series that premiered on the A&E Network on December 10, 2007. The program follows and stars the Pennsylvania State University Paranormal Research Society, a student-led college club...
featured a small segment on Betsy's murder in their first season. Penn State Paranormal Research Society head Ryan Buell
Ryan Buell
Ryan Daniel Buell is an American paranormal investigator, author and producer who founded the Paranormal Research Society when he was a 19-year-old student at Pennsylvania State University.-Early life:...
wanted to conduct a paranormal investigation in the library's stacks, but college officials would not allow it, claiming that they were hesitant to bring more publicity/attention to the allegation.
Her murder is unsolved after 41 years as of November 2010 and the Pennsylvania State Police
Pennsylvania State Police
The Pennsylvania State Police is the state police force of Pennsylvania, responsible for statewide law enforcement. It was founded in 1905 by order of Governor Samuel Pennypacker, in response to the private police forces used by mine and mill owners to stop worker strikes and the inability or...
are still actively seeking information on the case.
In October 2010, news stories have brought more information to light, based on new research performed by Sascha Skucek and Derek Sherwood. Other articles include in the October, 2010 State College Magazine, and "Who Killed Betsy Aardsma" in The Penn Stater's September/October 2009 issue. Updated information about the case is available at
In July 2011, "Who Killed Betsy: Uncovering Penn State University's Most Notorious Unsolved Crime," a book about the Aardsma murder and the subsequent investigation, was released by Pine Grove Press. More information is available at
External links
- "Mystery of the girl in the stacks continues to intrigue public", Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, October 25, 2009.