25 years later, charges filed in connection with Indiana County woman's killing

INDIANA, Pa. — Twenty-five years after an Indiana County woman was shot to death in her kitchen, a cigarette butt has led police to a Minnesota man suspected of killing her.

Pennsylvania State Police and Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty said Friday that 61-year-old Charles Cook is charged with criminal homicide in connection with the slaying of 76-year-old Myrtle McGill.

Dougherty said Cook fired three shots through a window, killing McGill in the kitchen of her White Township home. Her body was found Dec. 13, 1991, but authorities believe she died several days before.

Authorities say her car was stolen, but nothing else. Investigators said a cigarette butt found inside the car contained Cook’s DNA.

State police tracked Cook down in Magnolia, Minnesota, where investigators said he was homeless. He had been arrested in December 2015, which is when a DNA sample was taken.

Cook was arrested earlier this week and will be brought back to Indiana County to face homicide charges.

Stay with Channel 11 News and WPXI.com for continuing coverage.

Associated Press