Who killed Deborah Waggoner? Police seek info on 1990 homicide at Hempfield car wash

State police have evidence that might help them solve a 1990 homicide at a Hempfield car wash, but they need some leads.

The possibility that troopers can crack the case still exists, especially with the technological advances since Deborah June Waggoner’s death 34 years ago, Trooper Steve Limani said. But a key in reaching that point is getting a little help from someone who knows something about the slaying.

“It’s not that old. The person could still be alive that was involved in doing this,” he said.

Waggoner, 25, of South Greensburg was killed in her 1976 faded green Chevrolet Malibu at the former Carbon Car Wash in Hempfield on April 18, 1990. She was strangled, Limani said.

At the time, investigators said Waggoner had a history of drug use and romantic encounters that might be linked to her death. She left home about 7 p.m. for the car wash, according to Trib archives.

Waggoner’s body was found lying between the front and back seats the following morning by a Southwest Greensburg police officer, and a light coating of frost was on the car.

Police said then they believed she knew her attacker because there was no damage to the vehicle. In past interviews, investigators have said they believed Waggoner went to the car wash to meet someone.

The Trib reported on April 20, 1990, that Waggoner, an Irwin native, lived with her boyfriend and his family and managed a Rax restaurant in East Huntingdon. A witness reported seeing her washing the car before the facility closed for the night. Troopers removed articles of clothing and magazines from the car, the Trib reported.

Limani said Wednesday that troopers got evidence from the scene that could be tested for DNA.

“You’re hoping you’re going to get it off there,” he said. “You can only test things so many times.”

Even if there is DNA on the evidence, investigators still need a potential suspect’s DNA to which to compare it, he said.

Several months after the slaying, state police reported getting an anonymous letter that indicated the writer had knowledge of what happened that night, according to Trib archives. Troopers didn’t hear anything else until a couple of years later, when an unidentified woman called the station in Greensburg claiming to have information about the killing.

Troopers issued a public plea then for her to get back in touch, saying the information she had was crucial to the investigation. It’s unclear if the woman ever did.

Anyone with information is asked to contact state police at 724-832-3288. Trooper Joseph Drzal is handling the case.