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The North Country Murder of Irene Izak: Stained by Her Blood
Uncover the story of the vicious and confounding killing of Pennsylvania School Teacher, Irene Izak, that has remained unsolved for four decades.
It was the summer of 1968, and she had been driving for days. Irene Izak, a young French teacher from Scranton, Pennsylvania, was headed toward a new job and the promise of a new life in Quebec. She never reached the border that early June morning. Savagely bludgeoned, her face and head pummeled with rocks, Irene's body was discovered in a ravine by a state trooper patrolling Route 81 in Jefferson County, New York. Blending suspense with true-crime reporting, author Dave Shampine investigates the brutal murder that shook the communities of northeast Pennsylvania and New York's North Country. Join Shampine as he tells the story of this vicious and confounding killing that has remained unsolved for four decades.
It was the summer of 1968, and she had been driving for days. Irene Izak, a young French teacher from Scranton, Pennsylvania, was headed toward a new job and the promise of a new life in Quebec. She never reached the border that early June morning. Savagely bludgeoned, her face and head pummeled with rocks, Irene's body was discovered in a ravine by a state trooper patrolling Route 81 in Jefferson County, New York. Blending suspense with true-crime reporting, author Dave Shampine investigates the brutal murder that shook the communities of northeast Pennsylvania and New York's North Country. Join Shampine as he tells the story of this vicious and confounding killing that has remained unsolved for four decades.
128 pages, Paperback
First published December 10, 2010
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
February 6, 2011
In the summer of 1968 a pretty young woman, a teacher from Pennsylvania was traveling to Quebec, Canada for a job interview. Shortly after she crossed the Thousand Islands bridge into a picturesque island resort area of Wellesley Island in Jefferson County, New York that teacher was savagely and senselessly beaten to death on the side of the road and her lifeless body left in a ravine. That woman was Irene Izak. Irene's murder is yet to be solved and her killer was never brought to justice... at least in this lifetime. The case has been reopened, though NY state hasn't been very helpful to the Izak family and doesn't seem to keep them in the loop about the investigation.
I work on Wellesley Island and I travel by the very place where Irene was murdered everyday. A client of mine told me of the murder of Irene Izak. Apparently, she had owned the land where Irene's body had been found. My client told me of how everyone strongly suspected that Irene's murderer was actually the very police officer that discovered her body. Though there was actually quite a bit of evidence that pointed to that officer, no arrest was ever made. After reading this book it seems that quite a bit of the evidence was covered up, blotched or just plain hidden from the public and from Irene's family. It would seem that it's a cover-up to protect someone, but whom? This book attempts to answer that very question and to serve as a catalyst to help Irene's family to get some well deserved answers.
This book tells of the evidence and of several suspects in Irene's death, but the most evidence pointed to the state trooper who had pulled Irene's car over earlier that night for going 75 mph in a 65 mph zone and then that very officer also found Irene's body in a ravine a short time later. The trooper had blood spatter on his uniform and one of his fellow officers mentioned seeing a blotch of blood on his unmarked police car. In Irene's last known conversation before she got killed, she mentioned to a bridge toll collector that the police officer disturbed her by pulling her over for no reason, she asked of NYS trooper police tactics then she asked the toll collector for a match for her cigarette even though she had plenty of matches in her purse while letting that very state trooper get ahead of her on the bridge, as he had continued to follow her after he pulled her over. The toll collector said that Irene was visibly shaken and nervous. Later 2 tests on the vehicle that Irene was driving proved that her car at full speed, petal to the metal, would barely reach a solid 62 mph. Less than an hour later Irene's car would be discovered on the side of the road and her beaten body found in a shallow ravine beside her car.
This is a sad story and I feel for the Izak family. Until this very day over 4 decades after Irene's murder, NY state officials and police continue to evade their questions. Hopefully, this book will help them to get the forensic test results from this case reopened and blood spatter experts be called in, so maybe they can start to find out exactly what happened to their beloved Irene.
I'd recommend this book, it was very interesting. I read in less than a day. I'm glad that David Shampine has tried to give Irene her voice back. Irene's story fascinated me I felt a sense of kinship. Irene was in the prime of her life, she was looking forward to what so many young women do- falling in love, a job that she loved and a life of making a difference. A very sad story which unfortunately leaves too many unanswered questions.
I work on Wellesley Island and I travel by the very place where Irene was murdered everyday. A client of mine told me of the murder of Irene Izak. Apparently, she had owned the land where Irene's body had been found. My client told me of how everyone strongly suspected that Irene's murderer was actually the very police officer that discovered her body. Though there was actually quite a bit of evidence that pointed to that officer, no arrest was ever made. After reading this book it seems that quite a bit of the evidence was covered up, blotched or just plain hidden from the public and from Irene's family. It would seem that it's a cover-up to protect someone, but whom? This book attempts to answer that very question and to serve as a catalyst to help Irene's family to get some well deserved answers.
This book tells of the evidence and of several suspects in Irene's death, but the most evidence pointed to the state trooper who had pulled Irene's car over earlier that night for going 75 mph in a 65 mph zone and then that very officer also found Irene's body in a ravine a short time later. The trooper had blood spatter on his uniform and one of his fellow officers mentioned seeing a blotch of blood on his unmarked police car. In Irene's last known conversation before she got killed, she mentioned to a bridge toll collector that the police officer disturbed her by pulling her over for no reason, she asked of NYS trooper police tactics then she asked the toll collector for a match for her cigarette even though she had plenty of matches in her purse while letting that very state trooper get ahead of her on the bridge, as he had continued to follow her after he pulled her over. The toll collector said that Irene was visibly shaken and nervous. Later 2 tests on the vehicle that Irene was driving proved that her car at full speed, petal to the metal, would barely reach a solid 62 mph. Less than an hour later Irene's car would be discovered on the side of the road and her beaten body found in a shallow ravine beside her car.
This is a sad story and I feel for the Izak family. Until this very day over 4 decades after Irene's murder, NY state officials and police continue to evade their questions. Hopefully, this book will help them to get the forensic test results from this case reopened and blood spatter experts be called in, so maybe they can start to find out exactly what happened to their beloved Irene.
I'd recommend this book, it was very interesting. I read in less than a day. I'm glad that David Shampine has tried to give Irene her voice back. Irene's story fascinated me I felt a sense of kinship. Irene was in the prime of her life, she was looking forward to what so many young women do- falling in love, a job that she loved and a life of making a difference. A very sad story which unfortunately leaves too many unanswered questions.
July 25, 2011
I read this for a class I'm taking this summer called "Central NY Crime." Journalist Dave Shampine of the Watertown Daily Times (where I used to work at one time) has written a compelling account of the murder of a Pennsylvania schoolteacher on her way to a job interview in Quebec. Alas, she never arrived, having been murdered on Wellesley Island in the St. Lawrence, just minutes before crossing into Canada. The best suspect appears to be the NYS Trooper who pulled her over for speeding on rt. 81 (even though it was proven that her car couldn't go fast enough to speed), let her go, then followed her all the way to Wellesley Island and "discovered" the body. The investigation was a botched job, and it is believed by many that the troopers covered up for one of their own. The case remains unsolved to this day. What really bothered me about this case is that, prior to her death, Irene had had several premonitory dreams--nightmares in which she was being hit over the head, which is how she, in fact, died. And she was supposed to have stayed overnight in Syracuse with a friend before proceeding up rt. 81 to Canada. If only she had done so--she might never have encountered Trooper Hennigan! But at the last minute she opted not to stop over in Syracuse, and her fate was sealed. A sad story, told very well. I'd love to read more of Shampine's books.
November 7, 2015
It was suggested to me that I read this book by someone and I am glad that I did. This someone is a detective, (Gus Papay Jnr.) that I use for my research when I myself write in the crime fiction genre. He tells me if things are plausible (near enough) or not.
Gus is also mentioned in this book. He is one of the detectives that was involved (along with the author) in actually bringing this cold case to the attention of Governor Pataki and the general public after 30 years. As a private investigator, Gus was granted full Power of Attorney by the family to obtain records, consult with law enforcement officials, review evidence and fully investigate the matter. He uncovered many alarming facts.
The evidence clearly pointed to only one person, a State Trooper (Hennigan) that supposedly found her body. He claimed to have pulled her over some time earlier for speeding (75/mph) and then found her some time later murdered at the side of the road – bludgeoned.
The VW that she was driving back in the late 1960s could barely touch on 65/mph downhill and with the wind behind – it was tested by another investigator and the vehicle just wasn't capable of that kind of speed. That alone would raise a flag and make you question the ever changing story of the State Trooper.
And yet he gets away with the crime and even becomes an ordained deacon of the Roman church after a long career as a State Trooper. During that career he was called "The Heathen" by other fellow Troopers. This is a guy that scavenged other peoples trash for pornographic material, then brought it to work to show his fellow colleagues. Makes you wonder. It certainly does me.
When the murdered woman's father came to collect his daughter's body, he asked if he could speak to the last person that had seen her. The State Trooper simply refused to show up. And he continued to refuse for many years after.
I know that countless criminals get away with their crimes but the injustice is insufferable.
The book is very well written and includes Irene's history. There is also her background and how she arrived in America which is equally interesting. A harrowing tale in itself that takes place during the Holocaust period.
I found it so sad that after such a traumatic journey to freedom, she was bludgeoned to death.
Where is the justice?
Shame on the people that covered up her crime, (to obviously save the State Trooper's department and buddies embarrassment).
I recommend this nonfiction book highly.
Sergiu Pobereznic (author)
amazon.com/author/sergiupobereznic
Gus is also mentioned in this book. He is one of the detectives that was involved (along with the author) in actually bringing this cold case to the attention of Governor Pataki and the general public after 30 years. As a private investigator, Gus was granted full Power of Attorney by the family to obtain records, consult with law enforcement officials, review evidence and fully investigate the matter. He uncovered many alarming facts.
The evidence clearly pointed to only one person, a State Trooper (Hennigan) that supposedly found her body. He claimed to have pulled her over some time earlier for speeding (75/mph) and then found her some time later murdered at the side of the road – bludgeoned.
The VW that she was driving back in the late 1960s could barely touch on 65/mph downhill and with the wind behind – it was tested by another investigator and the vehicle just wasn't capable of that kind of speed. That alone would raise a flag and make you question the ever changing story of the State Trooper.
And yet he gets away with the crime and even becomes an ordained deacon of the Roman church after a long career as a State Trooper. During that career he was called "The Heathen" by other fellow Troopers. This is a guy that scavenged other peoples trash for pornographic material, then brought it to work to show his fellow colleagues. Makes you wonder. It certainly does me.
When the murdered woman's father came to collect his daughter's body, he asked if he could speak to the last person that had seen her. The State Trooper simply refused to show up. And he continued to refuse for many years after.
I know that countless criminals get away with their crimes but the injustice is insufferable.
The book is very well written and includes Irene's history. There is also her background and how she arrived in America which is equally interesting. A harrowing tale in itself that takes place during the Holocaust period.
I found it so sad that after such a traumatic journey to freedom, she was bludgeoned to death.
Where is the justice?
Shame on the people that covered up her crime, (to obviously save the State Trooper's department and buddies embarrassment).
I recommend this nonfiction book highly.
Sergiu Pobereznic (author)
amazon.com/author/sergiupobereznic
August 3, 2019
Cold Case
Well written and details the difficulty of tracking down evidence and witnesses in a cold case. TV makes it seem so easy. Submit DNA and magically a suspect appears. Despite the years of investigating this murder, uncooperative police & witnesses have made it impossible.
Well written and details the difficulty of tracking down evidence and witnesses in a cold case. TV makes it seem so easy. Submit DNA and magically a suspect appears. Despite the years of investigating this murder, uncooperative police & witnesses have made it impossible.
December 26, 2014
I thought this was well written and very well researched. I really feel bad for the family that they couldn't get the answers they needed. I felt the parties involved were stonewalled. I read this because I grew up in the area and graduated high school that June.
December 25, 2014
I thought the case was very interesting and so sad especially for the family that it went unsolved although I'm convinced who committed the murder. I took an interest in this book because my parents and extended family grew up in this area and we used to vacation on the 1000 Islands.
February 28, 2015
This book is about my Aunt Irene. David Shampine put many years of his life into this book. My family will be forever grateful to him for writing this book about my aunt, her murder, and about my family's history.
June 13, 2019
Wow
Interesting! Hope this case is solved one day. Really appears the trooper is guilty after all these years with no response from him!
Interesting! Hope this case is solved one day. Really appears the trooper is guilty after all these years with no response from him!
September 19, 2020
Good quick and informative read
The North County Murder of Irene Izak is partly the story of The Izak familys flea from the Ukraine to the United States, but mostly about the murder of the youngest of the Izak clan, Irene, who was brutally murdered while traveling from Ohio to Quebec for a teaching interview.
It will not take the reader long to figure out who murdered her, so, much of the focus of the book is on the people involved in trying to solve this case.
It gave me an excellent imagery of what it’s like to migrate to another country. The family’s enchantment and awe of this country, my country, gave me a much needed feeling of pride and patriotism amidst all of the challenges we have endured this year.
It also made me yearn for a family that cares about each other so deeply. It really is the only thing you need in life if you’re lucky enough to have one.
It was a quick easy read that evoked a lot of emotion. I definitely recommend The North County murder of Irene Izak.
The North County Murder of Irene Izak is partly the story of The Izak familys flea from the Ukraine to the United States, but mostly about the murder of the youngest of the Izak clan, Irene, who was brutally murdered while traveling from Ohio to Quebec for a teaching interview.
It will not take the reader long to figure out who murdered her, so, much of the focus of the book is on the people involved in trying to solve this case.
It gave me an excellent imagery of what it’s like to migrate to another country. The family’s enchantment and awe of this country, my country, gave me a much needed feeling of pride and patriotism amidst all of the challenges we have endured this year.
It also made me yearn for a family that cares about each other so deeply. It really is the only thing you need in life if you’re lucky enough to have one.
It was a quick easy read that evoked a lot of emotion. I definitely recommend The North County murder of Irene Izak.
July 30, 2015
Short account (100 pages) of a 1968 homicide and possible police cover-up. There is a lot of interesting material here, but overall it feels like reading a book that's had several chapters torn out of it. To quote the author (page 90): "I left frustrated by unanswered questions."
August 2, 2015
Unsolved
For over 40 years the murder of a young woman killed near Watertown, NY has remained unsolved. The most likely killer was a NYS trooper with strange interactions with the victim. Too much time, and too many deaths of people involved leave this another unsolved mystery.
For over 40 years the murder of a young woman killed near Watertown, NY has remained unsolved. The most likely killer was a NYS trooper with strange interactions with the victim. Too much time, and too many deaths of people involved leave this another unsolved mystery.
March 7, 2019
Interesting book!
This was a sad tale of the unsolved murder of a twenty-five year old schoolteacher. There was a suspect in the case, but he was never charged with the murder. I highly recommend it to other true crime readers.
This was a sad tale of the unsolved murder of a twenty-five year old schoolteacher. There was a suspect in the case, but he was never charged with the murder. I highly recommend it to other true crime readers.
June 4, 2021
Great read!
This is a very tragic and engaging story of a murder that continues to haunt the family and investigators. It is also an exercise in frustration regarding law enforcements thin blue line mentality
This is a very tragic and engaging story of a murder that continues to haunt the family and investigators. It is also an exercise in frustration regarding law enforcements thin blue line mentality
September 9, 2021
Unsolved
I sure hope this is solved some day. Good read. I am sad for the family and think they have the right killer!
I sure hope this is solved some day. Good read. I am sad for the family and think they have the right killer!
November 26, 2023
A relatively short but intriguing and thoughtfully-written account of the life and untimely death of Irene Izak, a young teacher beaten and murdered as she travelled alone on a secluded road late at night. The author is a journalist who has dedicated himself to finding out about Irene's life and that of her family before her death in the mid 1960s. This is an as-yet unsolved crime, although the lasting impression for many identifies the most likely suspect. There's that old saying that the simplest explanation is probably the correct one, and in this case I have to agree.
Ideal for true crime readers who wish to know more, or even discover, this unsettling case.
Ideal for true crime readers who wish to know more, or even discover, this unsettling case.
July 11, 2023
Irene Izak arrived at Ellis Island with her family from Ukraine in 1948 after having survived the horrific circumstances of WWII. Near starvation was common as both Russian and German soldiers made their lives hell on earth.
Irene's father was a priest in the Byzantine Rites Catholic Church and she and her siblings assimilated quickly in America.
The young woman spoke six languages and taught French at a few schools here before deciding to move to Quebec for a job.
On her drive in a VW Beetle, she was pulled over by David Hennigan, a NY State Trooper. He claimed to have stopped her for traveling at 75MPH. A fellow cop could not reach 65 in the car when he later tested it.
Trooper Hennigan found the VW parked off of the side of the road about 45 minutes after his initial encounter with Irene. He radioed in the discovery of her body and explained the blood on his uniform as the result of checking her for any sign of life. She had been bludgeoned to death with a couple of large rocks. Suspects Ted Bundy and Arthur Shawcross were elsewhere at the time of the murders in June of 1968.
Private investigators attempted to interview Hennigan and he refused their requests. He became a deacon at a Catholic church and, more than fifty years after the murder, remains the best suspect.
Dave Shampine used his good instincts as a newspaper reporter to give us reason to believe that Deacon Hennigan got away with murder.
Irene's father was a priest in the Byzantine Rites Catholic Church and she and her siblings assimilated quickly in America.
The young woman spoke six languages and taught French at a few schools here before deciding to move to Quebec for a job.
On her drive in a VW Beetle, she was pulled over by David Hennigan, a NY State Trooper. He claimed to have stopped her for traveling at 75MPH. A fellow cop could not reach 65 in the car when he later tested it.
Trooper Hennigan found the VW parked off of the side of the road about 45 minutes after his initial encounter with Irene. He radioed in the discovery of her body and explained the blood on his uniform as the result of checking her for any sign of life. She had been bludgeoned to death with a couple of large rocks. Suspects Ted Bundy and Arthur Shawcross were elsewhere at the time of the murders in June of 1968.
Private investigators attempted to interview Hennigan and he refused their requests. He became a deacon at a Catholic church and, more than fifty years after the murder, remains the best suspect.
Dave Shampine used his good instincts as a newspaper reporter to give us reason to believe that Deacon Hennigan got away with murder.
July 25, 2011
I picked this book up by accident on my way out of the bookstore, but am so glad I did. It was in the local history section at Borders. Such a tragic and unsolved story of a young girl who leaves Scranton to interview for a teaching position. Her family, still living in NEPA, work with a reporter and a private investigator to find the answer to the 30 year old mystery.
February 22, 2018
Interesting true crime
The murder was so sad. The French teacher had her whole life ahead of her. The book is well written and kept my interest.
I rated it four stars because it sure seemed like the author, family and private investigator were way too invasive trying to get the suspect to confess or slip up.
The murder was so sad. The French teacher had her whole life ahead of her. The book is well written and kept my interest.
I rated it four stars because it sure seemed like the author, family and private investigator were way too invasive trying to get the suspect to confess or slip up.
Read
August 17, 2011This author is coming to Campbell's Point, Summer 2011! He is a reporter at the Watertown newspaper.
June 24, 2016
Really interesting, but learned everything in the first few pages and there was no new info or resolution. Narrator's voice was authentic and interesting.
July 20, 2025
This book is very good! There are not a lot of information about this case but here it is condensed into one book. It is well written but I felt that it was a bit repetitive, only because the book is so short that everything that is mentioned more than once feels like it's repeating itself.
But a great source to remember Irene and hopefully one day get justice for that fumble of an investigation!
But a great source to remember Irene and hopefully one day get justice for that fumble of an investigation!
June 10, 2021
Sad true story.
Very interesting history and presentation of life of eastern Europe refugees. The more I read the grayer the lines of beliefs become. In the end I will probably have softer views of everything I previously believed. My parents generation was truly great.
Very interesting history and presentation of life of eastern Europe refugees. The more I read the grayer the lines of beliefs become. In the end I will probably have softer views of everything I previously believed. My parents generation was truly great.
March 8, 2023
This book wasn’t one or my favorites. However, I didn’t absolutely hate it. This book is about the unsolved murder or Irene Izak. Irene was a school teacher in New York and was driving back to Canada when she was brutally murdered on a toll road.
October 14, 2024
An interesting true crime case that is still unsolved. If your family member was murdered, would you accept the fact that a state trooper is possibly involved and allow the police to bungle the investigation?
January 12, 2026
I read this book because of the victims ties to north high . It’s sad the murder was never solved due to lack of evidence but clearly the murderer was the last one to see her . The flee from Ukraine / war was interesting but too long .
January 14, 2023
This is very interesting case. I look forward to doing more research about it. Very close to home for me.
Read
December 16, 2023I never knew about this cold case. I think it's very sad that it was never solved and that the authorities could not prove that their main suspect did it.
March 4, 2024
Interesting to read a story I knew nothing of when I lived there.
January 12, 2025
A good story, well told, but without a real conclusion.
February 24, 2025
My heart is forever broken for my grandmother and mother because my great aunt’s murder has never been solved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews