Police Seek Tips In 50-Year-Old Lower Bucks Co. Cold Case

LOWER BUCKS COUNTY, PA —Authorities are seeking tips to help resolve a 50-year-old cold case in which a teenager was stabbed to death outside the Oxford Valley Mall.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Middletown Township Police Department are asking for the public’s help for information in the death of 17-year-old Patricia “Patty” Bartlett who was fatally stabbed in the parking lot of the mall in Middletown Township 50 years ago.

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office and the Middletown Township Police Department continue to investigate Bartlett’s murder.

On Jan. 13, 1975, the Middletown Township Police Department investigated a stabbing in the east parking lot of the Oxford Valley Mall, 2300 E. Lincoln Highway, near the former Gimbels department store.

When officers arrived, they found Bartlett suffering from multiple stab wounds. She died a short time later at the hospital.

“Patty suffered a heinous death at the hands of an unknown violent predator,” District Attorney Jennifer Schorn said. “Although the case went unsolved, Middletown Township Police have never forgotten about Patty’s murder."

Schorn said that throughout the decades, authorities have continually pursued every lead. They have also reexamined evidence with developments in forensic science.

She said Bucks County detectives are working hand with Middletown Township to pool resources.

“Our hearts go out to Patty’s family,” Schorn said. “We hope they know we will continue to pursue every investigative lead in Patty’s case.”

Bartlett was a senior at Pennsbury High School at the time of her death. She had been working as a waitress at the former CoCo’s Restaurant on Lincoln Highway for about a year.

She was an avid photographer who had gone to the mall that day to purchase film to capture an upcoming snowstorm, police said.

“From the outset of this tragic case 50 years ago, MTPD Detective Tony Maniscola demonstrated exceptional dedication in investigating Patty Bartlett's murder,” Middletown Township Police Chief Joseph Bartorilla said. “Over the years, MTPD has revisited this case multiple times, working closely with the Bucks County Detectives Cold Case Unit in a relentless pursuit of justice for Patty and a measure of closure for the Bartlett family.”

Anyone with information about the murder is urged to contact Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or the Middletown Township Police Department at 215-750-3870.

Tips can also be left through CrimeWatch at www.bucksda.org or with the Middletown Township Police Department at www.mtpd.org on the anonymous tips link or on the anonymous tip phone line at 215-750-3888. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

Whether you think the information is unimportant or believe investigators have heard it before, police said they still want to hear from you.