In a stunning turn of events that underscores the power of modern forensic science, a 41-year-old murder case in the affluent seaside town of Newport, Rhode Island, has been solved thanks to DNA evidence recovered from a discarded water bottle. Hillary Hellewell, just 22 years old, was found strangled and sexually assaulted in May 1985. For decades, the case remained cold, with investigators unable to definitively link a suspect to the brutal crime, despite collecting crucial DNA evidence at the scene. The breakthrough came in 2023 when the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Cold Case Unit reviewed the evidence. Utilizing advanced DNA technology, investigators were able to identify a potential suspect, William “Billy” Morton, who had a prior conviction for a violent sexual assault in the same area just months after Hellewell’s murder. To confirm the connection, investigators employed a covert surveillance tactic, following Morton to a concert in August. When Morton discarded a water bottle after the show, an investigator retrieved it. DNA analysis of the bottle conclusively matched the DNA found on Hellewell’s body and clothing, directly linking Morton to the 1985 homicide. This meticulous work, spanning over four decades and culminating in a simple act of discarding trash, has finally brought a measure of justice for Hillary Hellewell and her family.
Adapted from: U.S. News Today on Fox News
