By Trend News Line 2024-07-05 02:07:37.
The Tragic Murder of Ann Woodward
The small town of Moab was rocked by a horrifying crime back in 1973 when Ann Woodward, co-owner of Woody’s Tavern, was brutally murdered after closing time. The 46-year-old mother was found by her husband the next morning, robbed, assaulted, and strangled on the floor of her own bar. It was a shocking and senseless act of violence that left the community reeling.
A Cold Case Reopened
For decades, the case remained unsolved, with police unable to definitively identify the killer. Various suspects were considered, including Douglas K. Chudomelka, a local mine worker who was initially identified as a suspect but later cleared. However, recent advancements in forensic technology have allowed for a renewed investigation into Ann Woodward’s murder.
A Breakthrough in the Case
Moab Police Department Detective Jeremy Drexler took on the case with determination, working closely with other law enforcement agencies to re-examine the evidence. After locating boxes of stored evidence that had been untouched for years, Drexler made a breakthrough. DNA recovered from inside Woodward’s clothing was matched to Chudomelka, finally providing the long-awaited closure in the case.
Justice for Ann Woodward
Grand County Prosecutor Stephen Stocks expressed confidence that if the case were presented to a jury today, Chudomelka would have been found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt of murdering Ann Woodward. While the perpetrator passed away in 2002, his DNA will be entered into the CODIS system to potentially link him to other unsolved cases across the country.
Hope for Closure
Detective Drexler and his team are continuing with additional testing and investigations to ensure that all aspects of the case are thoroughly examined. The community of Moab can finally find some closure knowing that justice has been served for Ann Woodward, a beloved member of their town who tragically lost her life in such a heinous manner..
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