A 37-year-old mystery
Thirty-seven years after Saxonburg Police Chief Gregory Adams was murdered, new information is being revealed for the first time about how his killer eluded capture for decades.
Some of the heretofore unpublished evidence also contradicts previously reported media accounts about what happened to suspect Donald Eugene Webb, who would die a fugitive.
A master thief with ties to the New England mob, Webb's demise was ignominious — buried in a hole in his backyard. His remains would rot there — unseen and undisturbed — for nearly 18 years.
State Trooper Max DeLuca, criminal investigation assessment officer for Butler-based Troop D, in an interview Wednesday with the Butler Eagle, discussed stunning revelations made by the late suspect's wife, Lillian Webb.
During two interviews with DeLuca, who recently took over the cold case, and Cpl. Chris Birckbichler, the former criminal investigation assessment officer handling the case, Lillian eventually led investigators to the location of Donald Webb's remains in the backyard.
DeLuca also discussed previous evidence uncovered by former Pennsylvania and Massachusetts state police and FBI investigators.
More coverage on Pages 5 and 6.
