Montgomery County, MD – Law enforcement officials have identified a second suspect in the 1970 murder and sexual assault of Anne Arundel County teenager, Pamela Lynn Conyers. The newly named suspect, Donald Willard, originally from Montgomery County, was implicated in the tragic killing of the 16-year-old girl from Glen Burnie. Willard’s connection to the crime came to light following the earlier identification of Forrest Clyde Williams III as the primary suspect in the case. Both suspects, however, are deceased, with authorities clarifying that charges would have been brought against them if they were still alive.
The breakthrough in the case came 53 years after Conyers’ murder when investigators used DNA evidence from the crime scene to match the suspects. This technological advancement was not available at the time of the incident. Despite the death of the suspects, police are actively seeking information to understand the relationship between the two men, as well as any possible involvement in other criminal activities.
Authorities revealed details about Willard, describing him as a hunter and handyman who originally hailed from Pasadena but later moved to Montgomery County where he passed away from natural causes at the age of 74 in 2010. Willard’s association with a contracting company involved in building Route 100, the location where Conyers’ body was discovered, raised suspicions about his potential involvement.
Further details emerged about Conyers’ final moments, as she attended a homecoming bonfire at Glen Burnie High School before disappearing. Police noted that she left her home to run an errand for her mother and never returned, leading to a missing person report being filed. Her car was later found abandoned in a wooded area, with Conyers’ lifeless body discovered nearby, confirming her death as a result of homicide by asphyxiation.
Subsequent investigations revealed the presence of DNA belonging to both suspects inside Conyers’ car, along with Williams’ fingerprints located outside the vehicle. The utilization of forensic genealogy techniques finally provided a breakthrough in the case, leading to the identification of the individuals responsible for the heinous crime. While many questions remain unanswered, authorities urge anyone with information related to the suspects or the incident to come forward and assist in uncovering the truth.