Rhode Island AG’s Cold Case Unit Arrests Suspect in 1985 Murder
The Rhode Island Attorney General's cold case unit has announced the arrest of William "Billy" Morton for the 1985 murder of Hillary Hellewell, a 22-year-old woman whose body was discovered in Newport. The case was solved using DNA evidence that…
Providence New Bedford, RI, October 6, 2026 —
The Rhode Island Attorney General’s cold case unit has announced an arrest in connection with the 1985 murder of Hillary Hellewell. William “Billy” Morton has been taken into custody, investigators confirmed. Hellewell, who was 22 years old at the time of her death, was discovered deceased in Newport.
The investigation into the decades-old case was reportedly advanced through the re-examination of DNA evidence. This forensic work by investigators with the Attorney General’s cold case unit was instrumental in identifying Morton as a suspect. Specific details regarding the timeline of the DNA re-examination or the exact date of Morton’s arrest were not immediately available.
The circumstances surrounding Hellewell’s discovery and the details of the original investigation from 1985 have not been fully detailed in the initial announcement. The cold case unit’s focus is on resolving unsolved homicides, utilizing advancements in forensic science and investigative techniques to pursue long-dormant cases. Further information regarding the charges against Morton and the legal proceedings is expected as the case progresses. The contractor’s name was not provided. The fine amount was not provided. The permit status was not provided. The inspection outcomes were not provided. Code violations were not provided. Any specific details about what happened next following the arrest were not provided.
Story summarized from the original created by Janine L. Weisman, Christopher Shea on rhodeislandcurrent.com, see more information here.
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