U.S. Senator Candidate Halted Campaign When His Daughter Was Stabbed to Death. The Killer Was Never Found 

**Mystery Remains Unsolved in the 1966 Murder of Valerie Percy, Daughter of U.S. Senate Candidate**

In a tragic event that has haunted a family and captivated the nation, Valerie Percy, the daughter of U.S. Senate candidate Charles Percy, was murdered in her Illinois home while she slept. The case, which made national headlines at the time, is still unresolved more than fifty years later.

On the fateful morning of September 18, 1966, Valerie was in her family’s suburban mansion in Kenilworth when her stepmother, Loraine, awoke to hear her moaning shortly before 5 a.m. Upon checking on Valerie, Loraine stumbled upon an intruder bending over her unconscious daughter. She fled to alert Charles Percy, who was campaigning for the U.S. Senate as a Republican candidate. Tragically, Valerie had already sustained fatal injuries from multiple stab wounds and blunt force trauma before help could arrive.

At the time of her murder, Valerie was just 21 years old. A recent graduate of Cornell University, she was deeply engaged in her father’s political campaign and was preparing to pursue a master’s degree in international studies at Johns Hopkins University. Valerie was remembered fondly not only by her family but also by classmates, who described her as a warm and vibrant individual with no known enemies.

The investigation that followed was extensive. Over the years, law enforcement agencies have pursued thousands of leads, interviewing approximately 14,000 people and administering over 58 lie detector tests in their quest for justice. However, despite these efforts, the case has remained cold, with no arrests made, and few promising leads surfacing.

Intrigue surrounded the investigation as authorities began exploring connections to organised crime. In particular, a mysterious phone call placed from the Percy home to a South Side Chicago meat market with links to a known crime syndicate emerged as a significant clue. Mob operative Leo Rugendorf was interrogated about the call but maintained he had not received it. Despite this, he testified that a notorious burglar, Frank Hohimer, had claimed he was involved in the murder. Hohimer, however, pointed the finger at another burglar, Frederick Malchow.

Authorities initially theorised that a botched burglary may have led to Valerie’s death, suggesting that she had disturbed a burglar trying to rob her family’s home. Yet no items were reported stolen, and no physical evidence connected either Hohimer or Malchow to the crime scene. As a result, despite significant leads, the investigation has not resulted in charges against any suspects.

The personal impact of the murder on the Percy family was immense. Following the tragedy, Charles Percy temporarily suspended his Senate campaign, but he eventually resumed his electoral efforts and went on to win the race. He served as a U.S. Senator for three terms before being defeated in 1984. The family’s grief, however, was overshadowed by the lack of resolution in the murder investigation.

Valerie’s twin sister, Sharon, also experienced a deep void following her sibling’s violent death. Her loss resonated significantly as she later married John D. Rockefeller IV, who went on to become the Democratic Governor of West Virginia in 1977 and later a U.S. Senator. The political connections and high-profile nature of the family only added further layers to the public interest in the case.

In the years that followed, many people continued to remember Valerie not just for her tragic end, but for the life she led. Linda Bernstein Miller, a sorority sister from Cornell, reflected on Valerie’s vibrant personality, describing her as “gorgeous to look at and wonderful fun to be around.” Her character and dedication to her family were highlighted in remembrances shared by friends and classmates alike, emphasising that she was greatly loved by those around her.

Even after decades, the unanswered questions and lingering mystery surrounding Valerie Percy’s murder continue to evoke thoughts of what might have been. Although no one has been brought to justice for her brutal killing, the impact of her life and the tragedy of her death remain a poignant chapter in the history of American politics. As law enforcement agencies remain vigilant, they continue to hope that new evidence will one day lead to resolution, allowing Valerie’s family and friends to finally find peace.