A Stranger Killed Katy

The True Story of Katherine Hawelka, Her Murder on a New York Campus, and How Her Family Fought Back

De: William D. LaRue

Narrado por: David Marantz

In the early morning hours of August 29, 1986, Clarkson University sophomore Katy Hawelka - bright, pretty, and full of life - strolled back to her upstate New York campus after a night out. On the dimly lit path beside the university's ice hockey arena, a stranger emerged from the darkness. The brutal sexual assault and strangulation that followed rocked the campus and the local community.

When Katy was declared brain-dead three days later, her family's nightmare had only just begun. Terry Connelly soon learned details about her daughter's death that would make her blood boil. From the bungling campus guards who could have stopped the murder, to mistakes by others that allowed the killer to wander the streets committing violence, Katy's mother became certain of one thing: The criminal justice system only meant "justice for the criminals."

A Stranger Killed Katy is the true story of a life cut tragically short, and of the fight by a grieving mother and others more than 30 years later to ensure that a killer would spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Contains mature themes.

©2021 William D. LaRue (P)2021 Tantor

The brutality that can occur anywhere at any time.

Well of course I disliked the murder, but truly appreciated the way the author told the story, showing kindness and respect for the victims family, his throughness of the prison system and parole hearings.

Not much mystery.

This was more about the characters than the actual crime. The mystery was solved very quickly.

Excellent recounting!

No stone left unturned! This book detailed everything from beginning to end (and continued) of what happened to Katy at the hands of Brian McCarthy. As a child I lived down the road from Mr LaRue and Brian McCarthy.

When I went home to visit, my family informed me of what Brian did. He was a grade younger than me so I did not know him very well. I remember he looked angry all the time.

It really impressed me that this book was written 30ish years after the crime. Extraordinary work by Mr LaRue and hats off to everyone who shared information.

Now, to go find that website with the petition and sign it!

Happy to hear change was made

Thank you for focusing on the victim. That’s where the focus should be. I will look for petition and sign up as well.

Very well done!

I lived in Potsdam area all my life just I remember the murder back then, but to read the story and now at a age to take time and realize how terrible his act was .
The book was very well written and the one who Narrated did excellent job.