D.A. seeks public’s help to solve 1993 murder
“Twentyfive years ago, a teenager went missing and we want to bring her killer to justice and provide some closure for her family.” _Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele
NORRISTOWN >> Montgomery County and Lansdale authorities are once again seeking the public’s assistance in solving the 1993 murder of an 18-year-old girl whose body was found in a Lansdale freight yard.
On Thursday, which was the 25th anniversary of Julie Barnyock’s disappearance, District Attorney Kevin R. Steele and Lansdale Police Chief Michael B. Trail reminded the public that a $10,000 reward remains available to anyone who provides information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the girl’s killer.
“Twenty-five years ago, a teenager went missing and we want to bring her killer to justice and provide some closure for her family,” Steele said. “Our detectives continue to go over this case, looking for anything that could help us. Now we are again asking for the public’s help.
“Someone knows something. Please come forward with whatever piece of info about Julie’s movements that day or anything someone might have seen that night at the train station. I’ve seen many old cases solved when someone comes forward with something that on the surface seems insignificant but it turns out to be a key puzzle piece in finding a murderer,” Steele added.
At 11:40 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, 1993, the 18-year-old Barnyock stepped off the R5 SEPTA train from Philadelphia and onto the platform at Lansdale Train Station where she used a pay phone to call her parents to request a ride home, according to Steele. Barnyock, of Chalfont, reportedly had been in Philadelphia that day with a friend, detectives said previously.
When Barnyock’s father arrived at the train station he was unable to locate his daughter.
The following day, Barnyock’s parents reported her missing to New Britain Township Police but it wasn’t until three weeks later, on Thursday, Dec. 2, 1993, that Barnyock’s body was discovered at the Lansdale SEPTA/Conrail freight yard.
A local man who was walking through a remote section of the Lansdale freight yard - overgrown with brush and known as a regular spot for homeless people - discovered Barnyock’s body, detectives previously revealed.
Autopsy findings at the time revealed Barnyock died after suffering a blunt force head injury and her death was ruled a homicide.
Steele said the case remains an active investigation.
Over the years, investigators have said they followed up on several leads and interviewed and re-interviewed hundreds of people.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368 or the Lansdale Police Department at 215-368-1801.
Steele added that anonymous tips via text messaging also can be sent to authorities using MontcoCrimeTips on the STOPit app. The free app can be downloaded from the app store for iPhones or on Google Play for Android devices. Users just have to enter the code: MONTCOPA.
The free mobile app called STOPit is simple to use on any cellphone and allows users to text information, a photo or video and transmit it directly to the county’s 911 Emergency Communications Center. While the 911 dispatchers will be able to communicate directly with the tipsters in real time if additional information is required, officials stressed the tipster’s phone number remains anonymous.
Tips will be directed to detectives, who will review them.