The Story Behind “Murder in Old Forge Pennsylvania”
The small town of Old Forge, Pennsylvania, witnessed a tragic event in July 1981 that would forever alter its history. This haunting case is now the subject of a gripping true crime novel by author and attorney Brian Kincaid. His book, “Murder in Old Forge Pennsylvania: The Tragic Death of the Ziemba Children,” delves into the chilling details of the crime and the community’s response.
Kincaid, speaking about the essence of his book, highlighted the strong sense of community: “I think one of the things that impressed me the most and made for an interesting story, was how for three horrible summer days in late July 1981, the people of Old Forge came out, came together.”
The Ziemba siblings, Cheryl and Christopher, aged 8 and 4 respectively, disappeared on July 26, 1981, from their backyard. After a massive search involving over 500 volunteers, their bodies were discovered in Ransom Township two days later. Neighbor Joseph Aulisio, then 15, was charged and convicted for the murders.
Kincaid’s book explores several themes: the reaction of the Old Forge community, the rare phenomenon of a teenage murderer, and the intense legal battle that ensued. Mary Ann Moran-Savakinus from the Lackawanna Historical Society recalls the tension of the time, saying, “I can remember in the 80s hearing about it and being nervous, as everybody was. All the parents were nervous. All the children were nervous.”
This weekend, Kincaid will make appearances in Wilkes-Barre and Scranton for book signings and to share insights about his novel. On Saturday, he will be at Barnes & Noble in Wilkes-Barre from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by a Sunday event at the historical society in Scranton at 2 p.m.
“People got involved. People were out there. People were searching for someone’s children,” Kincaid reflected. “On a drizzly night, a miserable night, miserable Sunday night, looking for these kids going all over the place. You know that speaks a lot, the spirit of Old Forge … and that always impressed me.”
Kincaid’s Journey to Publication
Kincaid’s interest in writing a true crime novel took root during his time at Capital University in Ohio, where he was tasked with writing about the death penalty for juvenile offenders. His roommate’s suggestion to look into the Ziemba case sparked a decades-long research journey.
Following his legal studies, Kincaid diligently gathered material, even meeting with key figures involved in the case, such as Aulisio’s defense attorney, Jack Brier, and former Lackawanna County District Attorney, Ernie Preate. His comprehensive research included interviews and poring over microfiche records.
Despite receiving a threatening letter from Aulisio in 1993, Kincaid persevered. His career demands delayed his writing process, but he continued to gather information and maintain contact with those connected to the case. In 2019, a call from a firefighter who discovered the children’s bodies rekindled Kincaid’s dedication to completing his book.
The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic provided Kincaid with the opportunity to finalize his manuscript, which was ultimately published by Arcadia Publishing in July.
The Lingering Impact of a Tragic Crime
Joseph Aulisio, now 59, remains incarcerated. During a resentencing hearing in 2019, he acknowledged his crime, admitting it to both a psychologist and a religious advisor. The chilling case continues to resonate with those who remember the impact it had on the community.
Kincaid emphasized the lasting effects of such tragedies: “There’s never in a murder case, just the victim or victims, there’s the extended family that are also the victims.” Moran-Savakinus added, “These two children had barely started their lives, but they were part of our community, as were their families. And it’s important to talk about them and remember them.”
