Digest

This episode of Cold Case Files tells the story of two murders that occurred in Ontario in 1970. Dorian Morby, a former nurse, was found murdered in her home, and less than two weeks later, Helen Ferguson, also a former nurse, was murdered in her home. Both women were sexually assaulted and shot to death. The murders shocked the small communities where they occurred, and despite extensive investigation, the cases went cold. In 1995, a series of robberies in the area led investigators to Ronald Glenn West, a former police officer who had a history of arrests for battery and drug possession. West was convicted of the robberies, and while he was in prison, a new couple who had purchased his former home found gun permits in his name. The permits led investigators to a 22-caliber pistol that was believed to be the murder weapon. DNA testing confirmed that West was the killer, and he was finally charged with the murders in 1999. The episode highlights the dedication of the investigators who worked on the case for decades, as well as the impact of the crimes on the victims' families and communities.

Outlines

00:00:00

The Murders

This Chapter introduces the two murders that occurred in Ontario in 1970. Dorian Morby, a former nurse, was found murdered in her home, and less than two weeks later, Helen Ferguson, also a former nurse, was murdered in her home. Both women were sexually assaulted and shot to death. The murders shocked the small communities where they occurred, and despite extensive investigation, the cases went cold.

00:09:01

The Robbery Investigation

This Chapter focuses on the robbery investigation that led to the arrest of Ronald Glenn West. A series of robberies in the area led investigators to West, a former police officer who had a history of arrests for battery and drug possession. West was convicted of the robberies, and while he was in prison, a new couple who had purchased his former home found gun permits in his name. The permits led investigators to a 22-caliber pistol that was believed to be the murder weapon.

00:13:59

The Cold Case Solved

This Chapter details how the cold case was finally solved. Investigators were able to link West to the murders through DNA evidence found on a letter he had written to his wife while he was in prison. The DNA evidence was a match to the DNA found at the crime scenes, and West was finally charged with the murders in 1999.

Keywords

Q&A

• What led investigators to Ronald Glenn West as a suspect in the murders?

  A series of robberies in the area led investigators to West, a former police officer who had a history of arrests for battery and drug possession. West was convicted of the robberies, and while he was in prison, a new couple who had purchased his former home found gun permits in his name. The permits led investigators to a 22-caliber pistol that was believed to be the murder weapon.

• How was West finally linked to the murders?

  DNA evidence found on a letter West had written to his wife while he was in prison was a match to the DNA found at the crime scenes. This evidence was enough to charge West with the murders.

• What impact did the murders have on the communities where they occurred?

  The murders shocked the small communities where they occurred, and despite extensive investigation, the cases went cold. The fear and uncertainty caused by the murders had a lasting impact on the residents of these communities.

• What was the significance of the gun permits found in West's former home?

  The gun permits led investigators to a 22-caliber pistol that was believed to be the murder weapon. This was a crucial piece of evidence that helped to link West to the murders.

• What was the role of DNA evidence in solving the case?

  DNA evidence was crucial in solving the case. DNA found on a letter West had written to his wife while he was in prison was a match to the DNA found at the crime scenes. This evidence was enough to charge West with the murders.

Show Notes