Belinda Darlene Zetterower, a 14-year-old white female from Hollywood, Florida, was tragically murdered on June 18, 1975. She had just completed the 8th grade at Attucks Middle School and was preparing to begin high school in the fall. On the evening of her death, Belinda and her close friend, Barbara “Barbie” Schreiber, also a 14-year-old white female, left the Schreiber residence intending to visit another friend’s house.
The two girls never arrived at their destination.
According to investigators, the girls were last seen sitting on a bench in Hollywood when a white van approached. Both girls, known to be frequent hitchhikers, reportedly entered the van willingly. The following morning, their bodies were discovered by a family fishing near Interstate 75 in the Florida Everglades, close to an area known as Andytown. Both 14-year-old white female victims had been sexually assaulted and shot to death. Their bodies were left on a remote dirt road, and the case quickly drew public attention due to the brutality and senselessness of the crime.
The double homicide remained unsolved for decades, despite numerous investigative efforts. However, nearly 50 years later, advancements in DNA technology allowed detectives to extract a full DNA profile from the victims’ clothing. This breakthrough led to the identification of a suspect: Robert Clark Keebler. Keebler, who had a criminal history that included armed robbery, sexual assault, and aggravated assault across California and South Florida, had died several years prior to being named a suspect.
Although Keebler is now believed to be responsible for the murders of the two 14-year-old white female victims, investigators have not ruled out the possibility that a second suspect may have been involved. Authorities continue to explore how Keebler may have crossed paths with the girls in 1975, as the case remains open for further investigation. The resolution brought some measure of closure to a case that haunted the community for nearly half a century.
