In November of 2010, the community of South Salt Lake was shocked by the vicious murder of Sherry Black, a beloved great-grandmother. Investigators chased leads and interviewed suspects, utilizing every resource at their disposal to learn who could have committed such a brutal crime – and why. But those answers…and justice…would remain elusive for nearly a decade.
Courtesy of Utah Cold Case Coalition
Episode Info
GEDmatch DNA Upload Instructions
To learn more about the Sherry Black Foundation, visit sherryblackfoundation.org
On Thursday, April 27, 2023, there will be a live event and panel discussion on Sherry’s case at University of Utah’s Kingsbury Hall called “The Bookstore Murder; a Journey for Justice: The Sherry Black Story.” All proceeds from the event will go to the Sherry Black Foundation, and we’d love to see you there if you can make it! For more information and to purchase your ticket, head over to kingsburyhall.edu or click here.
Sherry Black Photo source: Sherryblackinfo.com
Sherry and Earl Black Photo source: Sherryblackinfo.com
Outside of Sherry & Earl Black’s shop B&W Billiards and Books, which they ran from a building on their property Photo source: Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
B&W Billiards and Books Photo source: Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
Inside B&W Billiards and Books Photo source: Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
The door opening to the stockroom, where Sherry’s body was found Photo source: Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
Sherry was stabbed with shears multiple times. Photo source: Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
Police found the suspect’s belt at the scene. Photo source: Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake
Lorin Nielsen Photo source: Mugshot; published on KSL.com 12-8-2010
Episode Source Material
- KSL News: Motives, suspect in South Salt Lake fatal stabbing still elusive
- Deseret News: Reports: Slain bookseller Sherry Black unknowingly bought stolen items from gang member with history of threats by Paul Koepp
- Salt Lake City Weekly: Black murder recalls shady world of Mormon artifact thieves by Stephen Dark
- The Salt Lake Tribune: Police hope photo of belt might lead to killer by Nate Carlisle
- KSL News: Belt generates tips in South Salt Lake murder case
- Salt Lake City Weekly: The meth world and the Sherry Black murder by Stephen Dark
- KSL News: Police have DNA evidence in Sherry Black murder
- Video: Sherry Black Reward Announcement Press Conference, 3-28-2011
- KSTU-TV: ATM ROBBER: Arrest made in serial “robber rapist” investigation via Wayback Machine
- Deseret News: One year after killing, Sherry Black’s family hopes to reopen bookstore by Pat Reavy
- KSTU-TV: MURDER INVESTIGATION: Sherry Black news conference generates leads for police via Wayback Machine
- The Salt Lake Tribune: Famous detective squad probes Sherry Black’s murder by Nate Carlisle
- CBS News: Do you know who murdered Sherry Black? by Julia Dahl
- News release: Sorenson Forensics Launches Industry’s Only Ancestry DNA Test for Law Enforcement, 2-22-2011
- Sherry Black website
- National Gang Intelligence Center 2011 National Gang Threat Assessment
- Juggalos: Emerging Gang Trends and Criminal Activity Intelligence Report, 2-15-2011
- Utah Third Judicial District court records
- South Salt Lake Police records
- Unified Police Department of Greater Salt Lake records
- Utah Department of Corrections records