The Tragic Murder of Roseann Quinn

Roseann Quinn was a young, single school teacher working at St. Joseph’s School for the Deaf and pursuing a graduate degree that would help her advance her career. She was independent and had a bright future. Then on January 2, 1973, she was brutally murdered in her New York apartment by a man she met at a neighborhood bar. Her death would become a talking point for those against the Woman’s Liberation Movement—citing her "high risk" lifestyle as the catalyst for her own demise. Of course we know that the only one to blame here is the vicious killer himself, and Roseann Quinn was merely a symbol for his rage.

Associated Press. 1973. "Murdered teacher was dedicated to her work with deaf children." Reporter Dispatch, January 5: 2.

Churcher, Sharon. 1999. "Could Sex and the City lead to murder?" Mail on Sunday, February 14.

Ebert, Roger. 1977. Looking for Mr. Goodbar. January 1. Accessed February 8, 2023. https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/looking-for-mr-goodbar-1977.

Fosburgh, Lacey. 1977. Closing Time: The True Story of the "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" Murder. New York, NY: Dellacorte Press.

—. 1973. "A man seen with teacher on slaying night is sought." New York Times, January 6: 16.

—. 1973. "Suspect seized in Indiana in teacher's slaying here." New York Times, January 10: 1.

Gelb, Arthur. 2003. City Room. New York, NY: Putnam.

Kaufman, Michael. 1973. "Teacher, 28, slain in her apartment on West 72d Street." New York Times, January 5: 1.

Knight, Michael. 1973. "Suspect in killing of a teacher on West Side hangs himself." New York Times, May 6.

McFadden, Robert. 1973. "Police issue a sketch of witness they hope will identify killer of teacher." New York Times, January 7: 39.

New York Times. 1973. "Insanity defense planned in killing of teacher here." New York Times, February 2: 14.

Weisman, Steven R. 1973. "Corrections board assails city aides on Tombs suicide." New York Times, July 22: 33.

Cowritten by Alaina Urquhart, Ash Kelley & Dave White (Since 10/2022)

Produced & Edited by Mikie Sirois (Since 2023)

Research by Dave White (Since 10/2022), Alaina Urquhart & Ash Kelley

Listener Correspondence & Collaboration by Debra Lally

Listener Tale Video Edited by Aidan McElman (Since 6/2025)

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