On a warm September afternoon in 1985, 16-year-old Kimberly ’Kim’ Simon left her home in Marcy, New York, to walk to Whitesboro Junior High School and never arrived. Her body was found the next day, September 19, 1985, in woods off Mohawk Street, less than a mile from her house; investigators determined she had been beaten, sexually assaulted, and strangled.

A local man, Steven Barnes, was arrested, convicted of Kim’s rape and murder and sentenced to 25 years to life. Nearly 20 years into his sentence, new DNA evidence developed with help from the Innocence Project led to his exoneration in 2008, and the case was officially reopened. Investigators have revisited leads and explored theories including possible group involvement, and a reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The case remains unsolved and Kimberly’s family continues to seek answers and closure. If anyone knew Kim or has information about where she was that afternoon or people seen in the area, please come forward.