In the heart of Morgantown, West Virginia, a mystery lingers—a brutal crime that has remained unsolved for over 50 years. The 1970 murders of two West Virginia University freshmen, Mared Malarik and Karen Ferrell, shocked the community and left a trail of unanswered questions. On our latest episodes of Mountain State Mysteries, we take a deep dive into the case, unraveling its chilling details, questionable investigations, and the theories that still persist today.
A Ride That Led to Tragedy
On the night of January 18, 1970, Mared and Karen were hitchhiking back to their dorms after seeing a movie in downtown Morgantown. Hitchhiking was common among students at the time, but this night would be different. The girls never made it back.
For months, their disappearance gripped the city. Then, on April 16, 1970, a gruesome discovery was made in a wooded area near Cheat Lake—two decapitated bodies, later identified as Mared and Karen. Their heads were never found.
The Investigation: Missteps and Mystery
The case quickly grew cold due to a lack of leads and forensic technology. Authorities struggled with conflicting evidence, dead-end suspects, and cryptic letters sent to the press. One of the biggest twists came in 1976 when Eugene Paul Clawson, a convicted rapist, confessed to the murders. However, inconsistencies in his confession and a lack of physical evidence left many questioning whether he was truly the killer.
Lingering Theories and Unanswered Questions
Decades later, the case remains one of West Virginia’s most haunting unsolved crimes. Some believe Clawson was a false confessor, while others suspect multiple perpetrators or even a connection to a larger crime ring. The missing heads of Mared and Karen add an eerie layer to the mystery—was it a ritualistic killing, a cover-up, or something even darker?
Tune In to Our Deep Dive
On Mountain State Mysteries, we examine the evidence, revisit witness statements, and explore new perspectives on this decades-old case. Could modern forensic technology finally provide answers? Were key suspects overlooked? Join us as we uncover the chilling details of the WVU Co-Ed Murders and search for the truth behind one of West Virginia’s most infamous crimes.
Listen now wherever you get your podcasts, and let us know your thoughts—do you think this case will ever be solved?
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