Crime & Safety
Woman's Death Ruled Homicide 30 Years After She Was Shot
Linda J. Knauss, 65, of Orefield, died from complications caused by a gunshot wound during a robbery in Harrisburg 30 years ago, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's office.
An Orefield woman's death last week was ruled a homicide from complications from a gunshot wound she suffered 30 years ago during an attempted robbery, according to the Lehigh County Coroner's office.
The coroner's office launched an investigation into death of Linda J. Knauss, 65, 5268 Baldwin Lane, who died Feb. 18 at Lehigh Valley Hospital-Cedar Crest, after it got a cremation request from the funeral home.
"Based on the cause of death listed, our office opened an investigation as the cause of death appeared to be trauma related," according to a news release issued Wednesday by the coroner's office.
Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Chief Deputy Coroner Paul Hoffman said Knauss was admitted to the hospital for a "respiratory issue," and had apparently suffering from other medical issues related to the shooting, according to The Morning Call.
Knauss was shot April 12, 1982 during an attempted robbery at a clothing boutique in downtown Harrisburg, the coroner's office said.
Find out what's happening in South Whitehallwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Knauss was shot in the neck, injuring her spinal cord and leaving her partially paralyzed, Isaac Mishkin, the owner of The Plum boutique, told the Call.
Mishkin, now 74, said he'd invited Knauss and her husband, Ron, to have dinner with him that evening, according to PennLive.
Mishkin was closing his shop when a young man came to the door and ordered them back inside at gunpoint, PennLive said. There was a struggle and Mishkin was shot in the stomach before Knauss was shot in the neck.
The gunman ran away and was never caught. No one has been charged in the case.
Harrisburg Police Lt. Robert Fegan said the department has re-opened the case and assigned a detective to it.
The department released sketch of the suspected robber to the public in 1982, but has not issued anything since.
"We have a detective assigned to the case. He needs to corroborate all the information being presented at present and go back to 1982 and the results and establish what he can," Fegan said.
Knauss operated Rue Vane Hairstyles in South Whitehall, the Call said.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.