After nearly five decades of unanswered questions, the Broward Sheriff’s Office Cold Case Homicide Unit has solved the 1975 murders of 14-year-olds Darlene Zetterower and Barbara Schreiber, bringing long-awaited answers to their families.
Using modern DNA technology, new witness information, and dogged police work, BSO Detective Andrew Gianino and the agency’s Crime Lab identified Robert Clark Keebler and Lawrence Stein as the men responsible for the brutal killings. The suspects, both now deceased, lured the two girls into a van in Hollywood shortly after the teens had completed eighth grade. Their bodies were discovered the next day on the edge of the Everglades.
Though neither man will face trial, the case is officially considered “exceptionally cleared,” meaning the evidence supports prosecution, but the suspects cannot be brought to court due to death.
“The case was filed with the State Attorney’s Office for prosecution as though the defendants were alive,” Gianino said. “A case that is exceptionally cleared is because the defendants are dead, and the prosecuting attorney agreed with our assessment that if they were alive, they would be criminally prosecuted for these homicides.”
DNA evidence collected from the girls’ clothing helped crack the case. According to Gianino, both Keebler and Stein had histories of violent behavior.
“(Keebler and Stein) lived full lives, very violent lives,” Gianino said. “I don’t know if it’s justice. But at least it gives the family some answers.”
BSO’s Cold Case Unit was created in 2019 to investigate unsolved homicides and sex crimes, some dating back decades. Sheriff Gregory Tony has made cold case resolution a key priority.
“I commend the work of the BSO Cold Case Homicide and Crime Lab units that refused to let Barbara and Darlene’s violent deaths go unanswered and their voices unheard,” Sheriff Tony said. “Sadly, these two men will not be tried in a court of law, but this outcome should reassure the community that BSO is committed to pursuing justice no matter how long it takes.”
Barbara Schreiber’s sister, Kimberly Schreiber, said she is grateful to the investigators who never gave up.
“They’d be so happy that somebody didn’t give up,” she said, referring to her parents and brother, who passed before learning the case had been solved. “That your team didn’t give up. That Detective Andrew didn’t give up.”
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