It was 25 years ago today that 18-year-old Julie Barnyock arrived to the Lansdale Train Station from Philadelphia, called her parents to pick her up, and was never heard from again. Three weeks later, her body was discovered in the Lansdale Septa/Conrail freight yard, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.
To date, there have been no arrests made in connection with the murder of Julie Barnyock, but local police and the district attorney’s office are once again seeking public assistance in solving the case.
“Twenty-five years ago, a teenager went missing, and we want to bring her killer to justice and provide some closure for her family,” said Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele. “Our detectives continue to go over this case, looking for anything that could help us. Now we are again asking for the public’s help.”
The district attorney’s office—in conjunction with Lansdale Borough Police Chief Michael Trail—put out a press release on Thursday, reminding the public that the case is still open and carries a $10,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of Barnyock’s killer.
“Someone knows something. Please come forward with whatever piece of info about Julie’s movements that day or anything someone might have seen that night at the train station,” said Steele. “I’ve seen many old cases solved when someone comes forward with something that—on the surface—seems insignificant, but it turns out to be a key puzzle piece in finding a murderer.”
According to the release, Barnyock arrived to the Lansdale Train Station around 11:40 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 8, 1993, having taken SEPTA’s R5 train from Philadelphia. She used a nearby payphone to request a ride home from her parents, but when her father arrived at the train station, he was unable to locate her. The following day, Barnyock was reported missing by her parents to the New Britain Township Police Department.
Three weeks later, on Dec. 2, 1993, Barnyock’s body was discovered in the freight yard behind the Lansdale Train Station. An autopsy was performed, revealing the cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head. Her death was ruled a homicide, and the investigation has been active ever since.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Montgomery County Detective Bureau at 610-278-3368 or the Lansdale Borough Police Department at 215-368-1801. Anonymous tips can also be texted using MontcoCrimeTips on the “STOPit!” app.
See also:
Souderton Man Facing Dozens of Child Pornography Charges
Lansdale Man Included in Montco’s Most Wanted List
Uber Driver from Lansdale Allegedly Raped Unconscious Passenger
Swastikas Spray Painted On Car In Montgomery Township On ‘Mischief Night’
Student Charged After Threatening To ‘Shoot Up’ Penndale Middle School
