A teenager, Harry Nickerson, suspected of fatally stabbing teacher Diane Peterson at Branham High School in San Jose, California, in 1978, has been identified years later through a relative’s revelation about a confession he made shortly after the murder. At just 16 years old, Nickerson allegedly killed Peterson, who was found with a single stab wound to her chest on June 16, the day after school let out for summer vacation.
Nickerson died by suicide in 1993, and prior to this new information, investigations had led to various witness accounts citing Nickerson’s involvement. While some witnesses claimed to see him with a knife featuring the words “Teacher Dear,” and another stated he had confessed, these accounts were not corroborated. In 1983, one student reported seeing Nickerson commit the act but later retracted the statement.
Nickerson’s criminal history includes convictions for armed robbery and assault. Despite recent attempts to use DNA evidence to solve the case, they proved unsuccessful. This year, however, a relative of Nickerson disclosed that he had confessed the murder minutes after it occurred, providing detailed knowledge about the case. Prosecutor Rob Baker emphasized that this new testimony could only have come from someone who had spoken directly to Nickerson.
A relative of Peterson expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their perseverance in pursuing the case, reflecting on Diane’s beautiful and caring nature and the lasting impact of her loss. The updated information sheds light on a cold case that had remained unsolved for over four decades.
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