Cold Case: Car on the Parkway, Body in the Woods

Sherri Orofino headed home March 1, 1987, driving back Dutchess County to after visiting a friend in Queens.

Yorktown police found her abandoned Toyota just off the Taconic Parkway. But it wasn't until six months later that the 24-year-old was found -- her skeletal remains strewn around a densely wooded area near the Croton Reservoir. She had been raped, strangled and thrown down an embankment.

The only suspect in the case is an ex-cop.

Ronald Langer lost his job as a Briarcliff Manor police sergeant and was imprisoned for violating the civil rights of women he illegally pulled over on the Taconic Parkway. Langer was arrested on civil rights charges in 1990 by federal investigators after other women, hearing about the Orofino case, told police about their experiences with him.

State police issued a new press release about the old case May 10.

Her death continues to be actively investigated, they said. Numerous leads have been followed-up on throughout this investigation, however, the homicide has never been solved. Investigators continue to comb the Croton Reservoir area searching for clues that may bring closure to her family.

Anyone with information regarding this investigation is asked to contact Investigator Timothy Gleason of the New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation in Cortlandt by calling (914) 737-7171. Please refer to SJS # 3011688. All calls may be kept confidential.

Langer has been working for the New York Labor Department for 15 years, The Journal News reported.