Buffalo Nun's Legacy Lives On 20 Years After Her Murder

Sister Karen Klimczak's work helping former convicts continues through Peaceprints of WNY program

Apr. 9, 2026 at 10:22pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a simple wooden dove carving, lit by a harsh direct flash against a pitch-black background, conveying the somber yet hopeful spirit of Sister Klimczak's legacy of nonviolence and community rehabilitation.A symbolic 'Peaceprint' carving honors the enduring impact of Sister Karen Klimczak's work with parolees in Buffalo.Buffalo Today

April 14 marks 20 years since Sister Karen Klimczak, a Roman Catholic nun in Buffalo, was murdered by one of the parolees she worked to help at the Bissonette House residential program. Klimczak's legacy continues through the Sisters of St. Joseph at the Center for Nonviolence and the 'Peaceprints' she left behind.

Why it matters

Klimczak's murder highlighted the risks and challenges faced by those working to help former convicts reintegrate into the community, but her dedication and impact have inspired others to continue her mission of nonviolence and rehabilitation.

The details

In 2006, Klimczak was killed at the Bissonette House, a residential program she helped run to assist former convicts. One of the parolees, Craig Lynch, admitted to killing Klimczak, claiming it was an accident, but he dumped her body behind an abandoned building. Klimczak's body wasn't recovered until days later, sparking a huge search and vigils by the community.

  • April 14, 2006: Sister Karen Klimczak was murdered at the Bissonette House in Buffalo.
  • April 14, 2026: It will mark 20 years since Klimczak's murder.

The players

Sister Karen Klimczak

A Roman Catholic nun who dedicated her life to helping former convicts reintegrate into the community through the Bissonette House residential program in Buffalo.

Craig Lynch

One of the parolees Klimczak was working with, who admitted to killing her in 2006, claiming it was an accident.

Luna Vasquez

An employee at Peaceprints of WNY, the organization that continues Klimczak's work at the Bissonette House.

Sister Elizabeth Savage

A former mentor of Klimczak's and a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph, who said Klimczak was "fearless" in her work.

Peaceprints of WNY

An organization that continues Klimczak's mission of helping former convicts reintegrate into the community, funded by the State Department of Corrections.

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What they’re saying

“It's incredible to know the work that she did, and it's the foundational reason that we're actually operating today.”

— Luna Vasquez, Employee, Peaceprints of WNY

“She went into very difficult situations. She led prayer groups at the murder sites. And she was also very, very conscious not just of the perpetrators, but of the victims and of their families. She was always willing to work with people.”

— Sister Elizabeth Savage, Sisters of St. Joseph

“I want her to be remembered as a person who was very alive, very interested in other people, interested in fun, interested in spreading what she had in her heart.”

— Sister Elizabeth Savage, Sisters of St. Joseph

What’s next

The Bissonette House continues to operate the residential program for former convicts that Klimczak helped establish, with Peaceprints of WNY carrying on her legacy of rehabilitation and nonviolence.

The takeaway

Sister Karen Klimczak's tragic murder 20 years ago highlighted the risks and challenges of working to help former convicts reintegrate into the community, but her dedication and impact have inspired others to continue her mission of nonviolence, rehabilitation, and supporting both victims and perpetrators.