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Queens Teen Rapes and Kills 14-Year-Old, “Wanted to See What It Felt Like to Kill Somebody”

Aug. 30, 1962 - A 17-year-old Queens boy was accused today of slaying a 14-year-old girl because he “wanted to see what it felt like to kill somebody.” The boy, Walter Tjunin, was charged with homicide in the killing of Susan Grskovic. The girl was found dead early this morning in a vacant lot, naked and strangled with a strip of her green, checkered dress. The killer had added a grisly touch by carving an “S” and an “X” on her stomach with a beer can opener. The police said she had been raped. Detective Lieut. Thomas Kissane said the Tjunin boy had led the police to the scene of the crime at 150th Street and 24th Avenue, Whitestone, at 8 a.m. after confessing. Tjunin, who quit school after completing junior high, is on probation from the Warwick State Training School, where he served time for stealing a bicycle. He and the Grskovic girl had known each other for about a month. They left a dance at Junior High School 194 together about 10 o’clock last night. The police found young Tjunin at his home at 1 a.m. He will be arraigned in Queens Felony Court tomorrow morning.

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