Kitty Genovese's story is an important one, a story that should be told to new generations, a story that will be revisited on Investigation Discovery's A Crime to Remember. On the night of March 13, 1964, Genovese was raped and murdered as several of her neighbors watched and heard her pleas for help.
As a young woman born and raised in New York City, she lived at a time when being gay or lesbian meant distrusting law enforcement. Many of her friends, including her girlfriend Mary Ann Zielonko, were unable to share the nature of their relationship and help give critical information during the investigation. And, as Zielonko learned, once the police department discovered they were romantically involved, she faced invasive and salacious questions from officers.
Genovese's murder case was eventually solved. As The New York Times learned of her story, and heard the NYC Police Commissioner talk about the bystanders in the case, the newspaper published a story about the apathy displayed by Genovese's neighbors. Genovese became an emblem for the bystander effect, her death served as a way to remind others to speak out.
A Crime to Remember will return on Tuesday, November 11 at 10/9c, kicking off its season with her important story.