Maryland MURDER Mystery Solved—COLD CASE Killer BUSTED After 49 Years!
A haunting 1975 strangling in Maryland, finds closure as convicted killer Charles William Davis Jr. admits to slaying Roseann Sturtz. 🌐 #News #EllicottCityMD #Maryland #Crime
ELLICOTT CITY, MD — A murder case that lingered unsolved for nearly 50 years has finally been closed, bringing long-awaited answers to the family of Roseann Sturtz. Authorities in Howard County, Maryland, announced that they had identified her killer, relying on evidence from an old cassette tape and a key photograph.
Sturtz, a Baltimore resident known as “Ann,” was strangled to death on August 24, 1975, after meeting her assailant at a bar. The Howard County Police Department took on the investigation, but for decades, the case remained a mystery.
Breakthrough After 49 Years
The turning point came in 2024 when Howard County police revived their efforts.
Cpl. Wade Zufall led the renewed investigation, uncovering evidence that pointed to Charles William Davis Jr., a man already serving a life sentence for other killings. Davis had first come under scrutiny in 1981 when police compared his confirmed victims to Sturtz’s case.
An audio recording from that year, made while Davis was incarcerated at Jessup Correctional Institute, captured him being questioned about the murder. At the time, authorities offered not to pursue charges in the Sturtz case if he provided information. During that 1981 session, Davis was shown a photo of Sturtz taken several years before her death but said he couldn’t identify her as one of his victims.
A Pivotal 2024 Interview
Fast forward 44 years to 2024, when Zufall brought Davis from Jessup to police headquarters for another interview.
This time, Davis was shown a headshot of Sturtz taken just a month before her murder. In footage from that meeting, Davis nodded as he looked at the later photo, admitting he recognized her and confessing to the slaying.
He told Zufall that he and Sturtz had argued after meeting at a bar, leading to her death.
Though Davis cannot face charges for Sturtz’s murder—likely due to the 1981 agreement—he spoke candidly, motivated by a desire to give her family closure, according to Zufall.
Closure for the Sturtz Family
Sturtz’s family released a statement through the Howard County Police Department, expressing gratitude for the resolution. They noted their relief at confirming the exact date of her death—August 24, 1975—and finally gaining closure after decades of uncertainty.
Zufall later addressed the case in a press conference, emphasizing the effort to bring answers to those affected. For the family, the resolution marked the end of a nearly 50-year wait, while for police, it closed a chapter on one of Howard County’s longest-standing unsolved cases.
Davis remains in prison, serving a life sentence for his other crimes.
A Moment for Reflection
Roseann Sturtz, a woman taken too soon, and her family, who waited nearly five decades for answers, deserve recognition for their enduring strength and the quiet dignity they maintained through years of uncertainty. The Howard County community, alongside its determined police force, showed unwavering resolve in piecing together a case that spanned generations, proving that time cannot erase the pursuit of justice. This resolution offers a glimmer of possibility—that even the longest shadows of the past can one day find light, bringing peace to those who need it most. Thanks for reading this article, we appreciate it! Until next time, remember: you deserve to feel good today! — Jack and Kitty Norton, Founders and Editors
RELATED TOPICS: Crime | Maryland
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