The Terry Cornell Murder Case - 40 Years Cold

Case Number: W-68458

Terry Cornell
Age: 17
Height: 5’7”
Weight: 135 lbs.
Body Discovered: Sunday September 7th, 1975
Location: 100 block of McDonald Rd., Syracuse, NY
Suspect: Unknown

A Little About Terry's Case

The body of Terry Cornell was discovered on Sunday, September 7th, 1975, lying in a culvert in the 100 block of McDonald Rd.  She was last seen walking in the 100 block of Glenwood Ave. after leaving a bar in the Elmwood section of Syracuse. The 20-year-old had been stabbed several times in the head and chest. Terry was discovered by a passerby just nine hours after she was last seen alive. Police said she had left the Avalon Bar on foot after refusing a ride from friends and was last seen around 3:20 a.m. near the corner of Glenwood Avenue and Craddock Street. Terry left Avalon Bar, 1826 South Ave.

around 3:15 a.m. on Sept. 7, 1975. She was last seen alive in the 200 block of Glenwood Avenue five minutes later. At 12:42 p.m. that day, Terry's body was found dumped in a culvert in the 100 block of McDonald Road, near Corcoran High School. Terry was choked and stabbed five times, including once through the heart. One of her sandals was found near 109 Strathmore Drive the following morning. The second sandal was found a block away outside 211 Strathmore Drive.

Terry Cornell murder scene
These are significant locations in the Sept. 7, 1975 murder of Terry Cornell.

1 - Avalon Bar -  3:15 a.m.: Terry Cornell leaves the Avalon Bar at 1825 South Ave.
2 - 3:20 a.m.: She is last seen alive at 200 Glenwood Ave.
3 - 109 Strathmore Dr.: Victim’s first sandal found.
4 - 211 Strathmore Dr.: Victim’s second sandal found.
5 - 12:42 p.m.: Cornell’s body found at 100 McDonald Rd.

A composite photo made in 1975 of a 

suspect in Terry Cornell's homicide. This 

suspect was seen driving a dark blue 2-door

vehicle that was seen in the area on the night 

Cornell was killed.

A composite photo made in 1975 describing 

a teenager seen walking in the area the night

Terry Cornell was killed.

Anyone with information about Cornell's death or any other of the more than 70 cold cases the Syracuse Police Department continues to investigate is urged to call police at 442-5234, or leave a tip on the department's website. All tips will be kept confidential.

Syracuse Police Department - Cold Case Division

E-mail: coldcasesquad@syracusepolice.org

Phone: 315-442-5234

Detectives welcome any and all information that is provided.