Digest

This episode of Cold Case Files tells the story of Joseph Tury, a convicted rapist who confessed to the murders of Diane Edwards and Marlis Woolenhouse, and was later suspected of the murders of Alice Hewling and her three children. The episode begins with the 1978 murder of Alice Hewling and her three children in Stern's County, Minnesota. Deputy Jim Kustriebaugh was the first officer on the scene and found the family dead from gunshot wounds. The only survivor, 11-year-old Billy Hewling, was found hiding in a sleeping bag. He told police that the killer had shot at him twice but missed. The case went cold, but a few weeks later, Deputy Gary Miller arrested a man named Joe Terry for auto theft. Terry was found to have a list of women's names and addresses in his car, including the name of Susie Hewling, one of the murdered children. Terry was questioned about the list, but he claimed he was just trying to find a girlfriend. The case remained unsolved for years, but in 1981, Tury was arrested for the murder of Diane Edwards. He confessed to the crime and led police to the scene of the murder. Tury was convicted of Edwards' murder and sentenced to life in prison. While in prison, Tury confessed to the murders of Marlis Woolenhouse and Alice Hewling and her children. However, he later recanted his confessions. In 1996, cold case detectives began to re-investigate the Woolenhouse murder and found that Tury's alibi was false. They also found that Tury's confession contained details that only the killer would know. Tury was arrested for Woolenhouse's murder and convicted in 1998. The episode ends with Tury still in prison, serving six consecutive life sentences. He maintains his innocence and claims that he is a victim of a conspiracy.

Outlines

00:00:00

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00:00:15

The Hewling Massacre

This Chapter begins with the murder of Alice Hewling and her three children in Stern's County, Minnesota. Deputy Jim Kustriebaugh was the first officer on the scene and found the family dead from gunshot wounds. The only survivor, 11-year-old Billy Hewling, was found hiding in a sleeping bag. He told police that the killer had shot at him twice but missed. The case went cold, but a few weeks later, Deputy Gary Miller arrested a man named Joe Terry for auto theft. Terry was found to have a list of women's names and addresses in his car, including the name of Susie Hewling, one of the murdered children. Terry was questioned about the list, but he claimed he was just trying to find a girlfriend.

00:08:34

The Murder of Marlis Woolenhouse

This Chapter begins with the murder of Marlis Woolenhouse in Afton, Minnesota. Her mother, Fran Woolenhouse, found her daughter barely alive in their home. Marlis died two days later. The case went cold, but in 1996, cold case detectives began to re-investigate the case and found that Tury's alibi was false. They also found that Tury's confession contained details that only the killer would know. Tury was arrested for Woolenhouse's murder and convicted in 1998.

00:11:05

The Murder of Diane Edwards

This Chapter begins with the abduction and murder of Diane Edwards in September 1980. She was abducted by a man in a brown station wagon and her body was found two weeks later. The case went cold, but in 1981, Tury was arrested for the murder of Diane Edwards. He confessed to the crime and led police to the scene of the murder. Tury was convicted of Edwards' murder and sentenced to life in prison.

00:16:29

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00:17:58

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00:19:08

The Jailhouse Confessions

This Chapter begins with Tury's confession to the murders of Diane Edwards and Marlis Woolenhouse. He confessed to the crimes in order to be transferred to a state mental hospital. However, his confessions were later discredited.

Keywords

Q&A

• Who is Joseph Tury?

  Joseph Tury is a convicted rapist who confessed to the murders of Diane Edwards and Marlis Woolenhouse, and was later suspected of the murders of Alice Hewling and her three children. He is currently serving six consecutive life sentences in a Minnesota prison.

• What happened to Alice Hewling and her children?

  Alice Hewling and her three children were murdered in their home in Stern's County, Minnesota, in 1978. They were found dead from gunshot wounds. The only survivor, her 11-year-old son Billy, was found hiding in a sleeping bag. He told police that the killer had shot at him twice but missed.

• How was Tury connected to the Hewling murders?

  Tury was connected to the Hewling murders through a list of women's names and addresses that was found in his car. The list included the name of Susie Hewling, one of the murdered children. Tury was questioned about the list, but he claimed he was just trying to find a girlfriend.

• What happened to Diane Edwards?

  Diane Edwards was a young waitress who was abducted and murdered in September 1980. She was abducted by a man in a brown station wagon and her body was found two weeks later. Tury confessed to her murder and led police to the scene of the crime.

• How was Tury connected to the Woolenhouse murder?

  Tury was connected to the Woolenhouse murder through his confession to the crime. However, he later recanted his confession. Cold case detectives later found that Tury's alibi was false and that his confession contained details that only the killer would know.

• What evidence was used to convict Tury of the Woolenhouse murder?

  The evidence used to convict Tury of the Woolenhouse murder included his confession, the fact that his alibi was false, and the fact that his confession contained details that only the killer would know. The detectives also found a bruise on Alice Hewling's body that matched the pattern of a metal bar that was found in Tury's car.

• What is Tury's current status?

  Tury is currently serving six consecutive life sentences in a Minnesota prison. He maintains his innocence and claims that he is a victim of a conspiracy.

• What is the significance of the toy bat mobile?

  The toy bat mobile was found in Tury's possession just four days after the Hewling murders. Billy Hewling later identified the toy as belonging to his family. The toy is believed to have been taken from the Hewling house by Tury as a souvenir.

• What is the significance of the bruise on Alice Hewling's body?

  The bruise on Alice Hewling's body matched the pattern of a metal bar that was found in Tury's car. This was a key piece of evidence that linked Tury to the Hewling murders.

• What is the significance of Tury's jailhouse confessions?

  Tury's jailhouse confessions were initially discredited, but they were later used as evidence against him in the Woolenhouse murder trial. The confessions contained details that only the killer would know, and they helped to convince the jury that Tury was guilty.

Show Notes