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Who Killed Betsy? Uncovering Penn State University's Most Notorious Unsolved Crime.
On November 28th, 1969, Betsy Ruth Aardsma was murdered inside Penn State University's Pattee Library, by an unknown assailant. Thousands of students were interviewed, but no suspects were produced by the police investigation. 41 years later, the case remains unsolved. This book explores the turbulent environment of the late 1960s at Penn State, along with the details, the suspects, and the reasons behind why the killer was able to escape justice for so long, as well as revealing the main individual now suspected in the murder -- a Penn State University graduate student named Richard Charles Haefner who was uncovered by the author and another researcher during their time spent looking into the case.
Critical Praise for Who Killed Betsy?"
"Who Killed Betsy is an essential read for any Penn Stater. The descriptive narratives coupled with the intensive investigative steps taken by the author combine to provide a unique glimpse into the life of Betsy Aardsma, into the life of a Penn State student in the 1960s, and behind the mind of her suspected killer. Whether you agree with the author's findings or not, the book will give you insight into a piece of Penn State history like you've never seen it before." -- Eric Weiss, OnwardState.com
"Who Killed Betsy? is the kind of book I like. It takes the reader back in time to a unique locale that was populated with weird and intriguing characters. It is well-written and easy to read. Most of all, it opens a window into a long-hidden mystery." -- Robert Waters, true crime author.
"Forty years cold, justice can still be found. "Who Killed Betsy?: Uncovering Penn State University's Most Notorious Unsolved Crime" investigates this stabbing of a Michigan student in the Pennsylvania university that has yet to be solved. Derek Sherwood provides new evidence as he profiles who he believes is responsible for the crime and what has become of the search in the past decades. "Who Killed Betsy?" is a riveting spin of real life mystery, highly recommended." -- Midwest Book Review
Critical Praise for Who Killed Betsy?"
"Who Killed Betsy is an essential read for any Penn Stater. The descriptive narratives coupled with the intensive investigative steps taken by the author combine to provide a unique glimpse into the life of Betsy Aardsma, into the life of a Penn State student in the 1960s, and behind the mind of her suspected killer. Whether you agree with the author's findings or not, the book will give you insight into a piece of Penn State history like you've never seen it before." -- Eric Weiss, OnwardState.com
"Who Killed Betsy? is the kind of book I like. It takes the reader back in time to a unique locale that was populated with weird and intriguing characters. It is well-written and easy to read. Most of all, it opens a window into a long-hidden mystery." -- Robert Waters, true crime author.
"Forty years cold, justice can still be found. "Who Killed Betsy?: Uncovering Penn State University's Most Notorious Unsolved Crime" investigates this stabbing of a Michigan student in the Pennsylvania university that has yet to be solved. Derek Sherwood provides new evidence as he profiles who he believes is responsible for the crime and what has become of the search in the past decades. "Who Killed Betsy?" is a riveting spin of real life mystery, highly recommended." -- Midwest Book Review
- GenresTrue CrimeCrime
152 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 1, 2011
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206 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
March 6, 2021
Unlike most who have read this book, I was on campus when the murder of Betsy Aardsma occurred at Pattee Library. I was leaving a class in the Willard Building, a little over a block from Pattee, when the ambulances and police cars pulled up at the door.
Essentially, I ignored it. I was writing a research paper and preparing for final exams, which were more pressing.
Betsy was a graduate student in the English Department who came to Penn State from Michigan because she was dating a young man who was a medical student at Hershey Medical Center, the PSU medical school, which was quite a distance from the main campus.
The fact that there was little blood and that no one really knew that she had been stabbed is frightening in the 21st Century, but this was a very different era.
Consequently, because of my personal ties, I enjoyed this book more than many would have. It was well-researched, and the author made a strong case for the man whom he believes actually murdered her.
In addition, I did grad work in English at PSU, so I am familiar with the locations that are described here. The stacks were indeed scary places, especially for women.
The emergence of the disgrace of the Jerry Sandusky scandal that illustrated how effectively Penn State swept negative stories under the rug reinforces some of that is included here.
The fact that the murder has never been solved makes it even more fascinating. So, Mr. Sherwood’s first look at this information was well done overall.
Another book came out a few years later that contained more biographical information about Betsy and the others and was written in a more professional way than this was. However, I still found it fascinating and still have it on my shelf. A number of my family have also read it.
It is a short and easy read, and I would recommend it.
Essentially, I ignored it. I was writing a research paper and preparing for final exams, which were more pressing.
Betsy was a graduate student in the English Department who came to Penn State from Michigan because she was dating a young man who was a medical student at Hershey Medical Center, the PSU medical school, which was quite a distance from the main campus.
The fact that there was little blood and that no one really knew that she had been stabbed is frightening in the 21st Century, but this was a very different era.
Consequently, because of my personal ties, I enjoyed this book more than many would have. It was well-researched, and the author made a strong case for the man whom he believes actually murdered her.
In addition, I did grad work in English at PSU, so I am familiar with the locations that are described here. The stacks were indeed scary places, especially for women.
The emergence of the disgrace of the Jerry Sandusky scandal that illustrated how effectively Penn State swept negative stories under the rug reinforces some of that is included here.
The fact that the murder has never been solved makes it even more fascinating. So, Mr. Sherwood’s first look at this information was well done overall.
Another book came out a few years later that contained more biographical information about Betsy and the others and was written in a more professional way than this was. However, I still found it fascinating and still have it on my shelf. A number of my family have also read it.
It is a short and easy read, and I would recommend it.
July 14, 2013
Although the information presented was pretty meticulously gathered by very well-meaning and informed people, the actual writing in this book is quite bad and greatly takes away from the impact it would have if it had been written by a professional writer. It has a very loose, unfocused structure (which is pivotal to a crime story which purports to expose the heretofore unnamed killer) and ends rather precipitously, leaving this reader with more questions. Although they make a very good case for the murderer being the man they named, the motive is still quite murky. Some things are not followed up. The case probably would never stand up in court.
Also, more attention is paid to the alleged murderer than to Betsy Aardsma or her life and family. I finished the book knowing very little about her, which I thought was tragic. I think an author like Anne Rule could've slammed this one out of the park, but the author here is not a professional writer and truly did his best.
One thing becomes frighteningly clear, however: Penn State University has a pattern of hiding and sometimes impeding investigation into major crimes committed on their own campus in order to take "stigma" and "ugliness" away from the university. This book was written before the Sandusky/Paterno/football scandal and the tactics are disgustingly familiar. Although no university wants sad or frightening associations made with them, the fact is that crime occurs on college campuses and I have yet to hear of another university that goes to these lengths to "shut up" and/or ignore terrible crimes with young and vulnerable victims.
Also, more attention is paid to the alleged murderer than to Betsy Aardsma or her life and family. I finished the book knowing very little about her, which I thought was tragic. I think an author like Anne Rule could've slammed this one out of the park, but the author here is not a professional writer and truly did his best.
One thing becomes frighteningly clear, however: Penn State University has a pattern of hiding and sometimes impeding investigation into major crimes committed on their own campus in order to take "stigma" and "ugliness" away from the university. This book was written before the Sandusky/Paterno/football scandal and the tactics are disgustingly familiar. Although no university wants sad or frightening associations made with them, the fact is that crime occurs on college campuses and I have yet to hear of another university that goes to these lengths to "shut up" and/or ignore terrible crimes with young and vulnerable victims.
April 26, 2012
This was an eerie read for me. I grew up in the town in which Betsy Aardsma was murdered, and am quite familiar with many of the locations mentioned. Granted, I grew up about 25 years after the fact, but I can attest that 'the haunted Pattee library stacks' urban legend was alive and well when I was a teen. I remember googling her story one afternoon, and being frustrated that the murder remained unsolved. I've never encountered any ghosts at Pattee but, as common wisdom holds, truth is often stranger than fiction. And this is a true story that's stuck with me for a decade.
But, beyond that, it's an eerie read because it demonstrates that Penn State has a pattern of withholding information. There's a consistent interest in protecting the school's reputation. I don't doubt that most universities are this way, but it seems particularly endemic to Penn State. This book relates accounts of people sharing their suspicions, and then said suspicions tapering off as they travel up the chain of command. And action ultimately never being taken.
So, yeah.
Familiar.
The writing is pretty matter-of-fact, but I think the case is bizarre enough to hold the interest of people who don't have my personal connection to State College. Sherwood's investigation is pretty thorough, in terms of what time and circumstances allow, and he does ultimately make a fantastic case for the most likely culprit.
We'll never know for certain (since so many of the main players are dead) but... It's nice to know that these things don't have to remain a total mystery.
But, beyond that, it's an eerie read because it demonstrates that Penn State has a pattern of withholding information. There's a consistent interest in protecting the school's reputation. I don't doubt that most universities are this way, but it seems particularly endemic to Penn State. This book relates accounts of people sharing their suspicions, and then said suspicions tapering off as they travel up the chain of command. And action ultimately never being taken.
So, yeah.
Familiar.
The writing is pretty matter-of-fact, but I think the case is bizarre enough to hold the interest of people who don't have my personal connection to State College. Sherwood's investigation is pretty thorough, in terms of what time and circumstances allow, and he does ultimately make a fantastic case for the most likely culprit.
We'll never know for certain (since so many of the main players are dead) but... It's nice to know that these things don't have to remain a total mystery.
February 2, 2012
Long before Jerry Sandusky, Penn State learned well how to cover up the darkest aspects of human nature. During the Thanksgiving break, in 1969, a young student named Betsy Aardsma was murdered in the creepy stacks inside the Pattee Library. Stabbed once, through the heart. Her killer was never found. These days, reporters can’t even request the old student newspaper articles on the case. They’ve been scrubbed from the web and “misplaced” by the university.
That didn’t deter Derek Sherwood, who works as a credit card processor during the day and a reporter at night. In his book, Sherwood takes the existing articles and rumors about the case and uses the documents to tease out new leads. The first half is a detailed account of the days surrounding the murder, in 1969, an introduction to the real Betsy and the men who may have killed her. The second half becomes a kind of character study, in the creepiest sense, of the main suspect, associate professor of geology Richard Haefner. Sherwood takes us deep into the man’s mind and systematically lays out the circumstantial evidence suggesting Haefner’s guilt. Let’s just say Sherwood had a lot in common with Sandusky.
I read this book in a day and had terrifying dreams about Haefner last night. The writing is stark and simple but Sherwood shines whenever he allows himself to explore tangential characters who are as weird as Haefner, himself. Fans of true crime need this book.
That didn’t deter Derek Sherwood, who works as a credit card processor during the day and a reporter at night. In his book, Sherwood takes the existing articles and rumors about the case and uses the documents to tease out new leads. The first half is a detailed account of the days surrounding the murder, in 1969, an introduction to the real Betsy and the men who may have killed her. The second half becomes a kind of character study, in the creepiest sense, of the main suspect, associate professor of geology Richard Haefner. Sherwood takes us deep into the man’s mind and systematically lays out the circumstantial evidence suggesting Haefner’s guilt. Let’s just say Sherwood had a lot in common with Sandusky.
I read this book in a day and had terrifying dreams about Haefner last night. The writing is stark and simple but Sherwood shines whenever he allows himself to explore tangential characters who are as weird as Haefner, himself. Fans of true crime need this book.
September 14, 2020
While the information was interesting, the presentation of it was haphazardous and confusing with no recognizable timeline, constantly jumping around. In essence is has no flow.
November 22, 2020
A very good and interesting book about the murder of Betsy Aardsma! I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the background of the suspected killer, he certainly seems like a good suspect and probably most likely did kill Betsy.
I did expect a bit more information about Betsy herself but in saying that the book is not supposed to be about Betsy as such but about the man suspected to be her killer.
I did expect a bit more information about Betsy herself but in saying that the book is not supposed to be about Betsy as such but about the man suspected to be her killer.
January 12, 2014
I knew Rick Haefner personally back in the mid-1970s (I was a teenager). He took me in under his wing, and, like so many others mentioned in the book, took me to Penn State, New Paltz college, Ontario, Canada, Death Valley & Shoshone, and Key Largo, Florida. I visited his home in Lancaster many times and met his brother, George, when he lived in California. To be honest, I was quite surprised to learn the things Rick was involved in, his behavior, and even more surprised to learn that I was just another boy he fawned over. He never showed any anger towards me or towards anyone else while I was in his presence. He did get upset, once, when I wanted to leave a gem show early, when my girlfriend drove down to Baltimore to pick me up.
All that said, I found the book to be an interesting read, but then I have a different perspective toward Rick then most people.
All that said, I found the book to be an interesting read, but then I have a different perspective toward Rick then most people.
March 2, 2015
When the author focused on the actual murder investigation, the book was interesting. However, I felt that he spent too much time focusing on the supposed murderer's abuse of young boys. I couldn't help but think that including this much detail amounted to nothing more than filler designed to tie in the completely unrelated Sandusky scandal at PSU.
February 20, 2018
I grew up here, creepy to know that the killer was in my house for dinner frequently.
March 18, 2020
Short and to-the-point examination of the still-unsolved murder of Betsy Aardsma at her college library in 1969. Goes through the events and suspects in a matter-of-fact way, which results in the book being a kind of long, albeit very well written and interesting Wikipedia article. If you're a newcomer to the true crime genre, a book like this might be a good starting point. I also recommend this to anyone interested in the Aardsma case, as the author suggests a possible perpetrator who sounds very likely to have been the actual killer.
August 8, 2024
While this was a surprisingly quick read given the subject matter, this book felt all over the place. Who Killed Betsy? follows the story of Betsy Aardsma, who was stabbed to death in the library (the “stacks”) of Penn State in 1969. Her murder remains unsolved.
However, the author focuses a little too much on one particular suspect and seems to forget about Betsy. I don’t need focus on just one suspect, I want to know all the details.
However, the author focuses a little too much on one particular suspect and seems to forget about Betsy. I don’t need focus on just one suspect, I want to know all the details.
April 2, 2025
I listened to the audiobook. Was quite interesting and needed something different.
April 24, 2012
This was an easy read. I believe the author is an alumnus of PSU. The reason I read it, was because it was written up in our local Sunday paper. There have been quite a few books written about this subject; this one being the most recent. The killer of Betsy Aardsma was never found and prosecuted. According to Mr. Sherwood's book, the most likely candidate for the murder was a Rick Hafener, who died in the early 2000's. He was questioned and let go. Sherwood questioned a lot of the people who knew Betsy and Hafener. Some remembered the murder; some didn't. PSU officials don't like to talk about it. In thirty more years, the police records will be available to the public. Maybe the killer will be found then.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2015
I wanted to know more of Betsy, but it was still an interesting read.
I was creeped out for the most part. So many perverts were running amuck. Sickening. Some of the details of what the perverts were doing in the stacks were just disgusting.
I also found it to be really sad that gay people couldn't express themselves freely. All the hassles they had to endure just to have an encounter.
In the end, I learned that there are too many crazy people walking around. I also felt satisfied that Richard was 99% likely the killer. I just wanted to know why. Nobody can answer that, I suppose.
I was creeped out for the most part. So many perverts were running amuck. Sickening. Some of the details of what the perverts were doing in the stacks were just disgusting.
I also found it to be really sad that gay people couldn't express themselves freely. All the hassles they had to endure just to have an encounter.
In the end, I learned that there are too many crazy people walking around. I also felt satisfied that Richard was 99% likely the killer. I just wanted to know why. Nobody can answer that, I suppose.
August 4, 2013
Who Killed Betsy brings to light another scandal in Penn State's history. Betsy Aardsma, a graduate student from Michigan was killed in the Penn State Library in November 1969 and the case remains unsolved. There were a few persons of interest in the case but no one has ever been charged with the murder. Derek Sherwood does an excellent job of presenting the facts from the case and uncovering information the university and the state police either rejected or swept under the rug. Who Killed Betsy is a compelling case and a must read for true crime addicts.
August 20, 2014
I found this book very boring. A lot of details were given as if to prove the authors opinion as to who the murderer is. The investigation as projected in the book seems rather haphazard at best. In today's views it seems that Penn State tried to hide or cover up evidence/information to protect the Penn State name but in order to make that determination you would have to put yourself in the mentality of people back then and not judge by today's standards
May 14, 2015
Great comprehensive view
This is well written.....Very thorough. It covers various people that could have reason to murder. I believe the author's theory. He hit the nail on the head. But, we will never know for sure. Good read..would recommend.
This is well written.....Very thorough. It covers various people that could have reason to murder. I believe the author's theory. He hit the nail on the head. But, we will never know for sure. Good read..would recommend.
May 8, 2012
Interesting true story. Penn State University does not want to talk about this student's dealth in the library??
September 11, 2012
Very intriguing. Quick read and haunting.
December 11, 2012
After dealing with the investigation, and several possible suspects, finds a suspect with motive, opportunity, and means that the police should have investigated further.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 5, 2013
I could not get over the similarities of this case and the current Penn State events, as far as covering up crimes.
October 10, 2015
A fast read but the other book was better
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews