Tracey Kirkpatrick was a senior in high school working two jobs when a security officer found her dead in a clothing store in Frederick.

It has been nearly 24 years since the 17-year-old's slaying, but police haven't given up hope of solving the case.

The murder has been featured on the TV programs "A Current Affair" and "Unsolved Mysteries." Last year, Frederick detectives presented the case to the Vidocq Society, a prestigious panel of investigators that look at unsolved murders, in the hopes that a fresh set of eyes could lead to the teen's killer.

On the night of March 15, 1989, Tracey had been assigned to close up the Aileen Ladies Sportswear shop in the Westridge Shopping Center on West Patrick Street. Two hours after closing time, a security guard noticed the lights were still on in the business and went to investigate. Inside, in a back room, he found the girl's lifeless body. She had been stabbed to death. Police found no evidence of robbery or sexual assault.

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Several months later, investigators received an anonymous telephone call and letters from someone who claimed to be Tracey's killer. Police were able to trace the evidence to a man in the nearby town of Walkersville, but they determined he was not connected to the crime.

Anyone with information about this case can contact the Frederick Police Department at 301-600-2100, or by calling 301-600-TIPS (8477) or via email at fpdcrimetip@fredco-md.net.

smccabe@washingtonexaminer.com