The Story of
Sherry Black's Case
Who was Sherry Black?
"She was the love of my life. She gave so much of herself through her time and talents, but the best gift she shared was her love that she gave so freely."
– Earl Black
"It's pretty special to have a mother who set such an amazing example of self-betterment."
– Heidi Black Miller, daughter
Earl and Sherry with their beloved pets. "I love her love of animals and the cats and dogs she cared for."
– Joshua Miller, grandson
"She was my advocate from the day I was born. I came home from the hospital to a tiny house right next door to hers. The only thing separating our houses were rows of raspberry bushes she would let me raid whenever I wanted. She was the world’s best grandma."
– Courtney Hawks, granddaughter
"She was beyond proud to be a grandma, and so proud of every one of us grandkids. She told me and showed me that I was enough. She cared about her relationships with all six of us on an individual level and knew us each well."
– Alyssa Wardle, granddaughter
"I vividly remember her being so present at every sleepover. She would welcome us in the kitchen as we would walk into her home. We would order Italian Village pizza, make popcorn in the Whirly Pop, play Jenga, take a bubble bath with her plastic orange measuring cups and egg-beater, and watch a movie on the silky blanket. I would wear one of her oversized t-shirts to bed most of the time, and I would fall asleep between her and my grandpa to the sound of cars rushing by on 700 East. The next day, I would wake up to the smell of fresh coffee and walk to the kitchen to see her and my grandpa sitting side by side on the patio reading the newspaper. I would then do something along the lines of this routine: crack open a Shasta from the workshop, lay in the hammock in the backyard, raid the raspberry bushes and grapes in her garden and go play “bookstore” in her shop."
– Sabrina Humphrey, granddaughter
Sherry’s Murder
Podcasts of Sherry Black Murder
Articles of Sherry’s Murder and investigation
- Friends, family gather at candlelight vigil for slain book dealer (KSL)
- 9 Years After Utah Woman Was Brutally Killed in Her Bookstore, Daughter Hopes DNA Solves the Case (People)
- District Attorney releases new details about Sherry Black murder case (YouTube)
- Unified Police make arrest in 2010 killing of Sherry Black (KSL)
- Sherry Black killer will spend the rest of his life in prison (KSL)
Making a difference for others
Sherry’s Case Timeline
- Sherry was found murdered at her place of business.
- South Salt Lake City Police Department respond
- Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory System responds to process scene
- Scene processed which included documenting, sketching, photography, chemical testing, searching for evidence and collecting and packaging evidence.
- Neighborhood canvas and interviews conducted.
- Autopsy Performed by Office of the Medical Examiner
- Manner of Death: Homicide
- Immediate Cause of Death: Combined Blunt and Sharp Force Injuries of Head, Neck, and Torso
- South Salt Lake Police Department continues interviewing potential witnesses.
- Evidence submitted to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory System for testing.
Family asks for daily/weekly/monthly updates on investigation.
- Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory System confirms offenders' blood at scene. Full DNA profile uploaded into Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) with negative results.
- DNA was submitted to Sorenson Forensics for analysis. Identifies offenders DNA as West Sub-Saharan African population with a calculated value of 59%.
- DNA samples were collected and tested, witness interviews.
- Case presented to the Vidocq Society during training at Unified Police Department
- Candlelight Vigil held
- Case assessment conducted onsite by the Vidocq Society (Weeklong)
- Targeted Witness/Offenders interviewed, and DNA samples collected.
- SSLPD provided a list of investigative strategies.
- Offender Behavioral Profile provided to SSLPD.
- Crime Scene Assessment conclusions provided to SSLPD.
- Another Vigil held on two-year anniversary (facebook page photos)
SSLPD and Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake continue to:
- Conduct witness interviews
- Evaluate evidence
- Eliminate possible suspects
A second assessment was conducted.
- Witness interviews were conducted
- Evidence was reviewed
- Meetings were conducted with Utah Bureau of Forensic Services Laboratory System and Sorenson Forensics
- Investigators were left with a list of investigative strategies
2015 Advancements: Probabilistic Genotyping (PG), Better Instruments, Rapid DNA, NGS
A second assessment was conducted.
During this time:
- Investigation being investigated jointly by SSLPD and Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
- Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake assumes lead on case
- Partial fingerprints and palm prints sent to all state laboratories for comparison
- Phenotyping (Technique where scientists can determine the physical appearance of an individual based solely on their DNA) conducted — results released to the public
- Sherry Black Foundation founded by Greg and Heidi Miller in hopes of finding answers in their own case as well as helping others
- First SBF sponsored training symposium held in Salt Lake City Utah
Unified detective partner with Parabon to use Investigative Genetic Genealogy use as a tool for Sherry's case (opt in to share your DNA to help solve cases)
- Det. Pender Traveled throughout the country taking Buccal Swabs
- September 18, 2020 — 2 new DNA testers uploaded to GEDmatch
- Genetically linked to family of offender
- Travel to California — Identified possible offender's father
- Provided mother's name
- Baby picture at 3 months old and name Antonio
- Buccal swab collected
- DNA confirmed father of offender
- Suspect Identification
- Identified in an Obituary for Grandmother
- Antonio Spencer
- Currently using Adam Antonio Spencer Durborow
- Surreptitiously obtain suspects DNA
- DNA a match for offender
- Saturday October 10, 2020
- Stopped prior to entering his place of employment
- Taken into custody
- Offender confesses to committing the crime
- KSL news article
Meetings with DA and prosecutors to learn what to expect in this case and how to press forward with prosecution