In the spring of 1986, the city of Kansas City, Missouri, was oblivious to the fact that a serial killer was in its midst. On March 14th of that year, the body of 34-year-old Catherine M. Barry, a mother of three, was discovered in a desolate, abandoned building near 30th and Central streets. She had been strangled, and a nylon stocking and a beaded rosary were found around her neck.
Catherine was a woman who had faced personal struggles, including mental illness, which had led her to a life on the streets. Despite her hardships, she was known by her family as a caring individual who would often accept rides from strangers to share her religious faith.
For years, Catherine Barry's death remained a cold case, a source of enduring pain for her family. The investigation into her murder, along with those of other women found under similar circumstances, seemed to lead nowhere. It wasn't until years later that a breakthrough in forensic technology would finally shed light on the dark secrets hidden in the city's past. In 2004, as part of a special project to review unsolved cases, DNA evidence from the crime scene was re-examined. This crucial piece of evidence pointed to one man: Lorenzo Gilyard, a former trash company supervisor.
The arrest of Lorenzo Gilyard brought a chilling revelation to the community. He was linked by DNA to the murders of several women in the Kansas City area. In a trial that brought long-awaited answers, prosecutors presented the compelling DNA evidence that connected Gilyard to the deaths of six women, including Catherine Barry. Although the defense argued that the DNA only proved sexual contact and not murder, the judge found Gilyard guilty of six counts of murder. He was sentenced to six life terms in prison, ensuring he would never again pose a threat. For the family of Catherine Barry, the conviction of Lorenzo Gilyard brought a measure of justice, finally closing a painful chapter that had remained open for over two decades.
