CRIME

Suspect Identified, Arrested In 10-Year-Old Sherry Black Cold Case

Oct 10, 2020, 3:37 PM | Updated: Dec 19, 2022, 11:12 pm

SOUTH SALT LAKE, Utah — A suspect in the Sherry Black cold case has been arrested nearly 10 years after her brutal murder, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s Office.

Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera said 29-year-old Adam Durborow was arrested near his home in Orem Saturday morning.

He was 19-years-old at the time of Black’s murder and had been convicted for theft just weeks before the incident.

After his arrest Saturday, Durborow confessed to taking Black’s life.

He was booked into Salt Lake County jail a few hours later on felony charges of aggravated murder and aggravated burglary.

Adam Durborow (Salt Lake County Jail)

The sheriff said the case will be screened with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office on Tuesday.

On Nov. 30, 2010, officers found 64-year-old Sherry Black beaten and stabbed to death inside her book store, B&W Billiards and Books, in South Salt Lake.

The South Salt Lake Police Department conducted a homicide investigation, but it eventually went cold after they found no evidence of robbery or motive.

On the fifth anniversary of Black’s murder, KSL Investigator Debbie Dujanovik spoke with detectives over the case and learned that fingerprints and DNA had been recovered from the crime scene. However, detectives were not able to match the evidence stored in their database for previous offenders.

Over the years, a sketch of a teenage suspect was also created using DNA evidence.

UPD’s Cold Case Unit joined the investigation in 2013 and later became the lead investigating agency in 2018.

The two agencies worked together to review the evidence and conduct further investigations.

There were very few leads, but detectives said the suspect left behind his blood marks and an Armani belt, which at one time was considered a key piece of evidence.

On Oct. 7, 2020, DNA was collected from Durborow, according to the probable cause statement.

It was submitted to the Utah Bureau of Forensic Services and later confirmed as a match to the DNA collected from the crime scene.

“The diligent work of the detectives from both agencies over the last ten years has resulted in today’s arrest,” read the statement. “I want to thank the detectives, investigators, and many others from UPD, SSLPD, DA, the Utah Crime Lab, and Parabon Nanolabs for working together in common pursuit of justice for the Black family.”

Sheriff Rivera said the arrest was just one step on their path to justice.

“It was a good call to make, but a tough call. We want to follow it through to the end for justice,” said Sheriff Rivera. “You can’t give details, even to the family. It’s challenging. We want to spill the beans on the whole case, but we can’t.”

There are still many unanswered questions, most importantly the “why.”

KSL investigator Dave Cawley dug into Durborow’s criminal past, finding that he was convicted for theft before Black’s murder, and was in jail just weeks after her murder. This might have led to fingerprints being taken from him, raising the question of why a link wasn’t made to Durborow sooner.

Detectives told KSL that they are not able to provide that information at this time.

Furthermore, it appears that in Sept. 2010, Durborow was convicted and sentenced to 60 days in jail, but the sentence was suspended and he was put on probation with a $400 fine. Black was killed during the time he would have spent in jail.

Black’s family released a statement saying they will not be providing commentary until after charges are screened by the DA.

LIVE: Sheriff Rosie Rivera provides an update on the suspect that was arrested in the 10-year-old Sherry Black cold case.

Posted by KSL 5 TV on Saturday, October 10, 2020

KSL 5 TV Live

Crime

Kia has recalled 427,407 of its Telluride SUVs because they can roll away while in park....

Samantha Delouya, CNN

Kia recalls more than 400,000 Telluride SUVs that can move while in park

All Telluride vehicles made between 2020 and 2023 and certain 2024 models are affected by the recall.

50 minutes ago

Chad Daybell and his attorney, John Prior, appear in a hearing on Oct. 29, 2020...

Larry D. Curtis

Gag order issued for upcoming Chad Daybell murder trial

With jury selection only days away in the murder trial of former Utahn Chad Guy Daybell, the court has issued a gag order concerning the case.

3 hours ago

A previous drug bust where authorities found Fentanyl....

Brianna Chavez

DEA says fentanyl seizure on track to surpass last year’s numbers

A troubling trend for law enforcement as the DEA says more fentanyl is making its way to Utah.

4 hours ago

Loren Richardson shoots video of him snowboarding when a Brighton man confronted him on Feb. 26. Th...

Pat Reavy, KSL.com

Brighton resident charged with threatening, pointing shotgun at snowboarder

A Brighton man was charged Thursday with aggravated assault and accused of pointing a shotgun at a backcountry skier who went on his property on Feb. 26.

9 hours ago

Man being taken on stretcher to an ambulance figures blurred...

Lauren Steinbrecher

West Jordan man trying ‘to be funny’ allegedly shot and killed best friend

Investigators believe a joke between friends turned into the shooting death of a West Jordan man. The fatal mistake is also turning into a message police hope every gun owner can hear.

23 hours ago

Police near 1300 East and Van Winkle searching for two suspects involved in a hit-and-runs In a Uta...

Lindsay Aerts

Accused in serial hit-and-run case in court, Utah Nepalese rally around most recent victim

The man accused in the case of four serial hit-and-runs in Utah made his first court appearance Wednesday.

1 day ago

Sponsored Articles

Women hold card for scanning key card to access Photocopier Security system concept...

Les Olson

Why Printer Security Should Be Top of Mind for Your Business

Connected printers have vulnerable endpoints that are an easy target for cyber thieves. Protect your business with these tips.

Modern chandelier hanging from a white slanted ceiling with windows in the backgruond...

Lighting Design

Light Up Your Home With These Top Lighting Trends for 2024

Check out the latest lighting design trends for 2024 and tips on how you can incorporate them into your home.

Technician woman fixing hardware of desktop computer. Close up....

PC Laptops

Tips for Hassle-Free Computer Repairs

Experiencing a glitch in your computer can be frustrating, but with these tips you can have your computer repaired without the stress.

Close up of finger on keyboard button with number 11 logo...

PC Laptops

7 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade Your Laptop to Windows 11

Explore the benefits of upgrading to Windows 11 for a smoother, more secure, and feature-packed computing experience.

Stylish room interior with beautiful Christmas tree and decorative fireplace...

Lighting Design

Create a Festive Home with Our Easy-to-Follow Holiday Prep Guide

Get ready for festive celebrations! Discover expert tips to prepare your home for the holidays, creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere for unforgettable moments.

Battery low message on mobile device screen. Internet and technology concept...

PC Laptops

9 Tips to Get More Power Out of Your Laptop Battery

Get more power out of your laptop battery and help it last longer by implementing some of these tips from our guide.

Suspect Identified, Arrested In 10-Year-Old Sherry Black Cold Case