Janet Ann Taylor, a 21-year-old Caucasian woman, tragically lost her life on March 28, 1974, in a case that remained unsolved for decades. Janet, the youngest daughter of Chuck Taylor, a legendary football coach at Stanford University, was a sophomore at Cañada College at the time of her death. Her body was discovered in a ditch near Stanford University on March 24, 1974, after she had been beaten and strangled.
Janet had been hitchhiking home after visiting a friend, a common practice in the 1970s, as her car was out of commission. Her raincoat and shirt were torn, and her green corduroy pants were ripped, indicating a violent struggle. Evidence suggested that Janet fought back against her attacker, but she ultimately succumbed to the brutal assault.
The case remained cold for over four decades until advancements in DNA technology provided a breakthrough. In 2017, the investigation into Janet's murder was reopened, and DNA evidence collected from her clothing was matched to a sample obtained from a disposable coffee cup used by John Arthur Getreu, a 77-year-old man. Getreu, who had previously been convicted of murder and rape, was identified as the perpetrator. He was linked to Janet's case through genetic material preserved from another victim, Leslie Marie Perlov, who had been murdered in a similar manner near Stanford University in 1973. Both women had been strangled, and their cases shared striking similarities.
John Arthur Getreu was convicted of Janet Ann Taylor's murder in September 2021 by a San Mateo County jury. The trial revealed that Getreu had a history of violent crimes, including the murder of a 15-year-old girl in Germany in 1963. Prosecutors argued that Janet's murder was sexually motivated, as her clothes were torn and her face was beaten. Despite the defense's attempts to challenge the DNA evidence, the jury found Getreu guilty of first-degree murder. His conviction marked the resolution of a decades-old cold case and brought justice to Janet's family.
Janet's death and the subsequent investigation highlight the importance of advancements in forensic science and the dedication of law enforcement in solving cold cases. Her story serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by young women and the resilience of those who seek justice for victims of violent crimes.
