Serial killer Richard Cottingham confesses to 1965 murder

Authorities say Richard Cottingham confessed on Dec. 22, 2025 to the 1965 killing of 18-year-old Alys Jean Eberhardt, and police informed her family after securing the confession; Cottingham is already serving multiple life sentences.

Richard Cottingham has confessed to the 1965 killing of Alys Jean Eberhardt, Fair Lawn police announced. Investigative historian Peter Vronsky worked with police to obtain the confession on December 22, 2025. Cottingham is already serving multiple life sentences and has long been linked by investigators to other killings in New York and New Jersey. Eberhardt's family was notified after the confession and conveyed that the news provided long-awaited answers. What is known: - The confession was obtained on Dec. 22, 2025 with assistance from historian Peter Vronsky and Fair Lawn law enforcement. - The victim was identified as 18-year-old nursing student Alys Jean Eberhardt, whose death dates to September 1965. - Cottingham is serving multiple life sentences and has been linked by authorities to at least 20 murders, with investigators suspecting additional cases over several decades. - The case file was reopened in spring 2021 and reviewed by investigators prior to the recent confession. - Eberhardt's relatives released a statement saying the confession finally provided answers after decades of uncertainty. Summary: The confession resolves a long-unsolved homicide and gives confirmation to the victim's family after many years of investigation. Undetermined at this time.