In conjunction with the Attorney General's Utah Criminal Tracking and Analysis Program, or "UTAP," Eyewitness News will be profiling unsolved homicides with the hope that you can help.
It's a continuing series of reports we call "Murder Mysteries."
Crime Specialist Karen Scullin has our first case.
One of the most troubling murders in recent Utah history happened two years ago.
Since that time, the victim's family members and police detectives have struggled with the death, and the fact that the killer is still at large.
This case is a tough one. University of Utah student Amy Quinton was stabbed to death two years ago this August by an intruder.
There are two eyewitnesses who can describe the suspect, and yet he's never been found.
We ask you to take a good look at the story and try to recall any information about this case.
In 1999, Amy Quinton was set to graduate from the University of Utah.
Judy Quinton, Amy's Mother: "A DRAMA MAJOR. AND SHE HAD MADE WIGS. AND SHE HAD DONE A LOT WITH MAKE-UP AND COSTUMES FOR THEATER PRODUCTIONS IN TOWN."
But August 3, an intruder barged into Amy's apartment through a patio screen door that had been left open for a dog.
He confronted Amy's roommate, Lynn Drebes, first, but he didn't hurt her. Instead, he stabbed Lynn's friend, Erin Ward.
In the commotion, Amy managed to call
911 right before she was stabbed.
So listen closely as the suspect answers a return call from police dispatch.
Amy was killed instantly. Erin had severe stab wounds but survived. Lynn wasn't hurt.
The Quintons say their daughter had a strange premonition earlier in the night.
Judy Quinton, Amy's Mother: "AMY SAID, 'I'M FINE. I DON'T KNOW WHY, I JUST HAVE THIS BAD FEELING.'"
Suspect Description
- Black male
- About five-foot-eight
- 160-170 pounds
- Muscular Build
- Clean cut
- Very short hair
- Well-spoken
- Well-dressed
He did take Erin's credit cards and used them twice, at a Sinclair station in Summit County and in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The suspect may have known you can generally use a stolen card only twice before getting caught.
Det. Mark Scharman/Salt Lake City Police Dept.: "A LOT OF TIMES THAT'S LEARNED BY PREVIOUS EXPERIENCE IN THE JUSTICE SYSTEM."
Detectives don't know if the intruder was watching the girls, and simply saw an opportunity with the screen door open.
Could he have followed Lynn and Erin home from Bill and Nada's Restaurant where the two waited tables?
The girls say they didn't recognize him.
Or was he just passing by?
Garry Quinton: "WE JUST HAVE NO IDEA WHERE HE'S AT. HE COULD BE HIDING ANYWHERE."
Police say someone needs to come forward.
Det. Mark Scharman: "IN ORDER FOR THIS FAMILY, THE AMY QUINTON FAMILY, TO HAVE THE ANSWERS THEY SO DESIRE, IN ORDER FOR OUR COMMUNITY TO FEEL WHOLE AGAIN, WE'RE ASKING THE PUBLIC'S HELP TO COME FORWARD TO TELL US WHAT THEY KNOW."
If you have any information, please call Salt Lake City police at 799-3000. You can give information anonymously. And remember there is a $15,000 reward leading to the arrest of the suspect.
For more details on the case, go to the utap website.
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