FBI Identifies Man Who Kidnapped and Murdered Bowling Green Girl in 1996

DNA evidence leads to arrest of Robert S. Froberg, who is already serving a 40-year sentence in Alabama

Published on Feb. 28, 2026

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After nearly 30 years, police have identified 61-year-old Robert S. Froberg as the man responsible for kidnapping and killing 7-year-old Morgan Violi in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1996. DNA evidence from the crime scene linked Froberg to the murder, and he has now been charged with kidnapping resulting in death.

Why it matters

This case has haunted the Bowling Green community for decades, with residents fearing the killer was living among them. The identification of Froberg as the perpetrator provides long-awaited closure and justice for Morgan's family and the broader community.

The details

In July 1996, Morgan Violi was abducted from her apartment complex in Bowling Green while playing with friends. Witnesses saw a man matching Froberg's description put Morgan in a maroon Chevrolet van and drive away. Morgan's body was found three months later in Tennessee. Investigators recently tested DNA evidence from the crime scene, which led them to Froberg, who was already serving a 40-year sentence in Alabama for robbery. Froberg has now confessed to kidnapping and strangling Morgan.

  • On July 24, 1996, Morgan Violi was abducted from her apartment complex in Bowling Green.
  • On October 20, 1996, Morgan's body was found in the woods in White House, Tennessee.
  • In 2026, nearly 30 years after the crime, DNA evidence linked Robert S. Froberg to the murder.

The players

Robert S. Froberg

A 61-year-old man who has been identified as the person responsible for kidnapping and murdering 7-year-old Morgan Violi in 1996. Froberg is currently serving a 40-year prison sentence in Alabama for robbery.

Morgan Violi

A 7-year-old girl who was kidnapped and murdered in Bowling Green, Kentucky in 1996.

Kyle G. Bumgarner

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky, who announced the charges against Froberg.

Bowling Green Police Department

The law enforcement agency that worked with the FBI to investigate this case for nearly 30 years.

FBI

The federal law enforcement agency that used DNA evidence to identify Froberg as the perpetrator of this crime.

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What they’re saying

“Morgan Violi's family never gave up on her, and neither did the Bowling Green community or its law enforcement community. For years, this community has feared that Morgan's abductor lived silently among us and that one of our kids could be next. Investigators in the FBI and the Bowling Green Police Department have worked tirelessly to bring justice for Morgan. They applied new technology, re-examined old evidence, and never stopped searching for the truth.”

— Kyle G. Bumgarner, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Kentucky (k105.com)

What’s next

If convicted, Froberg faces either life in prison or the death penalty. A federal district court judge will determine his sentence after considering the sentencing guidelines and other statutory factors.

The takeaway

This case highlights the importance of never giving up on unsolved crimes, even decades later. Advances in forensic technology and the tireless work of law enforcement can eventually lead to justice for victims and their families, no matter how long it takes.