FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Nearly five decades after the brutal murder of two teenage girls, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office has announced a significant breakthrough in the case. The announcement was made during a press conference, marking a pivotal moment in a case that has haunted the community since 1975.
In June of that year, 14-year-old Darlene Zetter and Barbara Schreiber, best friends and eager to start high school, were last seen walking along a busy Hollywood road.
Tragically, their journey was cut short when they were abducted by two men in a van, sexually assaulted, and murdered. Their bodies were later discovered on the outskirts of the Everglades, a crime that shattered their families and left an indelible mark on the community.
Barbara’s sister recalled the devastating impact the loss had on their family, describing how it tore them apart and led to the breakup of their parents’ marriage. The pain of losing her sister was compounded by decades of uncertainty and unanswered questions.
The case remained cold for many years until recent advances in DNA technology allowed investigators to test samples from the girls’ clothing. This breakthrough led to the identification of two suspects: Robert Kiebler and Lawrence Stein, both of whom had extensive criminal records and were linked to a series of sexual assaults across Florida, California, and Arizona.
Sheriff Gregory Tony noted that while there is no direct evidence connecting Kiebler and Stein to other bodies found in the area at the time, the investigation remains open. The sheriff expressed hope that continued efforts might eventually shed light on these additional cases.
Despite the suspects’ deaths, the Broward County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that their work is far from over. The discovery has brought some measure of peace to the victims’ families, who are relieved that detectives never gave up on finding justice.
The State Attorney’s Office expressed confidence that, had the suspects been alive, they would have faced prosecution. This sense of closure, albeit partial, underscores the dedication of law enforcement and the resilience of the families affected by this tragedy.
The case remains a poignant reminder of the long-lasting impact of violent crime and the relentless pursuit of justice by law enforcement.