A Rhode Island man has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder in the 1985 killing of 22-year-old Hillary Hellewell in Newport. Investigators say DNA recovered from a discarded water bottle connected William Morton, 61, to biological evidence found at the crime scene. Morton was arrested on October 6 after a renewed investigation involving state and local authorities. He is being held without bond while the case proceeds toward a grand jury.
Hellewell was found dead on May 19, 1985, after leaving a gathering with friends. Her death remained unsolved for decades as investigators preserved evidence and pursued advances in DNA analysis.
| 1) | The 1985 killing in Newport |
| 2) | Evidence preserved through decades |
| 3) | DNA analysis identifies a suspect |
| 4) | Investigators collect a water bottle |
| 5) | The case moves toward court |
The 1985 killing in Newport
Hellewell’s body was found at about 4:15 a.m. on May 19, 1985, by two brothers who were walking to work on Anthony Street in Newport, Rhode Island. She was wearing white painter’s pants, a sweater and socks, but no shoes. Officers found her body mostly cold, with some areas still slightly warm.
A medical examiner determined that Hellewell died from asphyxia caused by strangulation and classified the death as a homicide. Investigators also documented a blood stain on her pants, a heavily soiled blue shirt near her head and biological evidence indicating sexual contact.
Evidence preserved through decades
Hellewell had attended a gathering with friends the night before her death, where those present had been drinking alcohol. Investigators learned that she had offered to walk home with a male friend who had become heavily intoxicated. He eventually reached home, but was unable to provide many details the following day.
Police ruled out men who had been close to Hellewell at the time as potential sources of the biological evidence, but they did not identify a viable suspect. The DNA evidence collected during the original investigation was preserved, allowing later officials to revisit the case as testing methods improved.
DNA analysis identifies a suspect
State officials reviewed the case in 2004 and entered DNA profiles connected to Hellewell and the unidentified suspect into the FBI’s Combined DNA Index System. In 2023, the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office created a Cold Case Unit, which reopened the investigation with the Newport Police Department and assistance from the Smithfield Police Department.
Investigators later sent the evidence to a private laboratory for more advanced analysis. According to court records, the resulting work pointed to Morton’s family line and made him a suspect. Records also show that Morton was convicted in 1987 of a violent sexual assault in Newport, about two miles from where Hellewell’s body was found. He received a 20-year sentence, served seven years in prison and completed the rest on probation.
Investigators collect a water bottle
After identifying Morton as a potential suspect, investigators conducted interviews and surveillance. On August 21, senior cold case investigator Michael Nayor followed Morton and Morton’s fiancée to a theater in Woonsocket, Rhode Island, after the couple stopped at a Burger King.
Nayor bought a ticket to a performance by a Heart tribute band and observed Morton purchase popcorn and two bottled waters. According to the arrest warrant, Morton drank from one bottle during the show and placed it on an adjacent seat. The couple left early, and Morton did not take the bottle. Investigators collected it and submitted it for testing.
The Rhode Island Department of Health reported that the DNA profile from the bottle was consistent with previously reported partial profiles from biological stains on Hellewell’s pants and the blue shirt found near her body.
The case moves toward court
Officers from multiple agencies went to Morton’s home at about 7 a.m. on October 6 as he was leaving for work as a service technician at a Volkswagen dealership. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in Rhode Island District Court, Second Division.
Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha said the case will be presented to a grand jury. A status conference is scheduled for October 20. Morton is being held without bond, and the available report did not include a comment from his attorney.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Hillary Hellewell was found strangled in Newport on May 19, 1985. |
| 2 | Preserved biological evidence was reexamined using newer DNA technology. |
| 3 | William Morton became a suspect after investigators traced the DNA evidence to his family line. |
| 4 | A discarded water bottle collected at a Woonsocket theater provided a comparison sample. |
| 5 | Morton faces a first-degree murder charge as prosecutors prepare for grand jury proceedings. |
Summary
The arrest in Hellewell’s case followed a combination of preserved 1985 evidence, updated DNA analysis and a covert collection of Morton’s discarded water bottle. Authorities say the resulting profile was consistent with biological evidence recovered from the crime scene. The charge remains an allegation, and the case will be evaluated through the Rhode Island court process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the case?
William Morton, 61, was arrested on October 6 and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Hellewell’s death.
How did investigators connect Morton to the killing?
Investigators compared DNA from a water bottle Morton left at a theater with biological profiles developed from evidence found on Hellewell’s clothing and a shirt near her body.
What happens next in the prosecution?
The case is expected to go before a grand jury. A status conference is scheduled for October 20, while Morton remains held without bond.
