Discarded Trash Uncaps 41-Year-Old Murder Case in Ritzy Seaside Resort Town, Authorities Say
Investigators say discarded water bottle DNA linked William "Billy" Morton to the 1985 killing, and he now faces first-degree murder charges.
- On October 6, authorities arrested 61-year-old William "Billy" Morton, charging him with first-degree murder in the 1985 killing of 22-year-old Hillary Hellewell in Newport, Rhode Island.
- The Rhode Island Attorney General's office formed a Cold Case Unit in 2023, allowing investigators to apply modern DNA technology to evidence preserved from the original 1985 crime scene.
- Senior cold case investigator Michael Nayor followed Morton to a Woonsocket theater on August 21, seizing a discarded water bottle that yielded a DNA match to samples found on Hellewell's clothing.
- Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced the case will proceed to a grand jury, with a status conference scheduled for October 20 in the Rhode Island District Court Second Division.
- Court records reveal Morton was convicted in 1987 of a violent sexual assault in Newport, committed 45 days after Hellewell's death, for which he served 20 years in prison.
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Discarded trash uncaps 41-year-old murder case in ritzy seaside resort town, authorities say - NEW YORK TIMES POST
NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles! After sitting cold for more than 40 years, a Rhode Island murder case may have been solved with the recovery of a discarded water bottle in a theater. On Oct. 6, William “Billy” Morton was arrested and charged with first-degree murder for allegedly killing Hillary Hellewell in [...]
Discarded Trash Reopens 41-Year-Old Murder Case at Seaside Resort
NewsFinale NewsFinale Journal A Rhode Island homicide investigation that remained unsolved for more than four decades may have reached a breakthrough after police recovered a discarded water bottle from a theater. William “Billy” Morton, 61, was arrested Oct. 6 and charged with first-degree murder in the 1985 Newport killing of 22-year-old Hillary Hellewell. Investigators say advances in DNA […]
Cold Case Unit Makes Arrest for 1985 Newport Murder - Newport This Week
An arrest has been made in a Newport cold case police have been investigating since 1985. Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Nerohna and Newport Police Chief Ryan Duffy announced the arrest of 61-year-old William “Billy” Morton on Oct. 6 in connection withthe murder of Hillary Hellewell. At a press conference held in Providence, Neronha said Morton has been charged with one count of first-degree murder and is currently being held without bail…
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