The Tragic Case of Maria Ridulph: America’s Coldest Child Murder Case

On December 3, 1957, the small town of Sycamore, Illinois, was shaken by the disappearance of seven-year-old Maria Elizabeth Ridulph. Known for being friendly, high-spirited, and a bright student, Maria was last seen playing in the snow with her best friend before vanishing with a mysterious man known only as “Johnny.” Her remains were found months later, sparking one of the nation’s most infamous and long-running cold case investigations.

This case, once declared solved after the conviction of Jack McCullough, later collapsed when evidence revealed he was innocent. It remains one of the most haunting examples of wrongful conviction in U.S. history.

Early Life and Background

Maria Ridulph was born on March 12, 1950, the youngest child of Michael and Frances Ridulph. She grew up in Sycamore, Illinois, a close-knit community where families knew one another. Her father worked in a factory while her mother stayed at home to raise the children.

Despite being only seven, Maria stood out for her intelligence and energy. She was an honor student in second grade and regularly attended Sunday school, where she earned perfect attendance awards. However, those who knew her also described her as nervous and excitable, prone to screaming when frightened—something her mother acknowledged in interviews after her disappearance.

Maria’s best friend, eight-year-old Kathy Sigman, often played with her in their neighborhood. On that fateful December night, the girls were together when their lives changed forever.

The Disappearance

After dinner on December 3, 1957, Maria and Kathy went outside to play in the light snowfall. They amused themselves with a game they called “duck the cars,” darting back and forth to avoid headlights.

A man approached them, introducing himself as “Johnny.” Kathy described him as being in his early twenties, tall, with light hair, a slender face, and a gap in his teeth. He wore a colorful sweater and told the girls he was 24 years old, unmarried, and fond of children. He offered piggyback rides, which Maria eagerly accepted.

After playing briefly, Maria went home to fetch a doll to show him. When she returned, Kathy left to get her mittens. By the time Kathy came back, Maria and “Johnny” were gone.

The Ridulph family quickly raised the alarm. At first, they thought Maria was hiding, but when she did not appear, police were called. Within hours, the FBI joined the search, fearing she had been abducted across state lines. Despite massive efforts, Maria was nowhere to be found.

Discovery of the Body

Nearly five months later, on April 26, 1958, mushroom hunters near Woodbine, Illinois—about 90 miles from Sycamore—discovered skeletal remains under a fallen tree. The child’s body was identified as Maria’s through dental records, hair samples, and clothing fragments.

The discovery confirmed the community’s worst fears. Though the original autopsy could not determine the exact cause of death, a later forensic review suggested Maria had been stabbed in the throat multiple times.

Initial Suspects

Authorities pursued numerous leads, interviewing transients, known offenders, and local men. One of the early names was John Tessier, who lived near the Ridulph home. Tessier provided an alibi, supported by telephone records and Air Force enlistment activities in Rockford, about 40 miles away. He even passed a lie detector test, leading investigators to drop him from the suspect list.

Other suspects emerged over the years, including William Henry Redmond, a carnival worker linked to similar crimes. However, no conclusive evidence tied anyone to Maria’s murder. For decades, the case went cold.

The McCullough Conviction

In 2008, the case resurfaced after Tessier’s half-sister, Janet, told police about a deathbed confession from their mother, who allegedly said, “John did it.” This prompted investigators to revisit Tessier, now living under the name Jack McCullough.

Despite weak evidence, a new timeline was constructed suggesting McCullough could have abducted Maria and still made his scheduled phone call in Rockford. In 2011, he was arrested, and in 2012, he was convicted of kidnapping and murder.

The conviction made headlines worldwide, hailed as the resolution of America’s oldest cold case to result in a guilty verdict.

Overturned Conviction

But the celebration was short-lived. McCullough continued to appeal, and in 2016, new prosecutors reviewed the evidence. Phone records showed conclusively that he had been in Rockford at the time Maria disappeared, making it impossible for him to be the killer.

Judge William Brady vacated McCullough’s conviction in April 2016, and the charges were dropped a week later. In 2017, he was formally declared innocent, erasing one of the gravest miscarriages of justice in modern history.

Legacy and Memorials

Maria Ridulph’s case left a deep scar on Sycamore and became a turning point in how communities and law enforcement handle missing child cases. Her memory is honored with a memorial plaque outside Sycamore’s Municipal Building and through a scholarship fund established in her name.

The case has been featured in books, documentaries, and television programs, including Footsteps in the Snow and 48 Hours. Though McCullough was cleared, Maria’s true killer remains unidentified.

Conclusion

The disappearance of Maria Ridulph stands as both a heartbreaking tragedy and a cautionary tale. It is a reminder of the vulnerability of children, the importance of thorough investigations, and the dangers of rushing to judgment.

More than six decades later, Maria’s case continues to haunt Sycamore, not only because of the innocence lost but also because her killer has never been definitively identified. The search for truth remains open.