A teenager suspected of fatally stabbing a teacher at Branham High School in San Jose, California, in 1978 has been identified following a recent confession by a relative. Harry Nickerson, the suspect, was 16 at the time and committed suicide in 1993. The victim, Diane Peterson, was found dead with a stab wound to her chest just after school ended for the summer. Following the incident, Nickerson was considered a suspect, but there was insufficient evidence to charge him.
Several accounts emerged over the years. In 1983, a student’s family reported their relative claimed to have witnessed the stabbing, but the student later denied it. In 1984, another witness stated that Nickerson had admitted to the murder. Nickerson had later faced charges for other crimes, including armed robbery and kidnapping.
In the recent investigation, attempts to utilize DNA evidence to identify Peterson’s killer were unsuccessful. However, a relative of Nickerson approached law enforcement this year, revealing that he had confessed to the murder shortly after it happened. Prosecutor Rob Baker noted that the relative’s detailed account contained unique knowledge of the crime, raising its credibility. The motive behind the relative’s delayed disclosure remains unclear.
Diane Peterson’s family expressed gratitude to investigators for their longstanding commitment to solving the case, emphasizing the lasting impact of her murder. Peterson’s legacy as a “beautiful and wonderful person” continues to resonate with those who knew her.
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