Skip to main content

Magnolia Man arrested for 1991 homicide in Pennsylvania

By
Lori Sorenson

Rock County Sheriff Evan Verbrugge said he was surprised to receive state and national media inquiries Tuesday about a homicide arrest involving a Magnolia man.
“It’s kind of intriguing, to be honest,” Verbrugge told the Star Herald Tuesday morning. “I’m not aware of any homicide.”
When he searched the subject online, he found several Associated Press stories that had been posted around 10:30 a.m. Following is that report:
Pennsylvania authorities say a Minnesota man has been arrested on charges he killed a 76-year-old Pennsylvania woman a quarter-century ago.
Indiana County District Attorney Patrick Dougherty says the suspect is a 61-year-old man from Magnolia, a tiny town of roughly 200 people.
Dougherty says the suspect fired two shots through a window that killed Myrtle McGill in the kitchen of her White Township home. Her body was found Dec. 13, 1991, but authorities believe she died several days before.
Authorities say her car was stolen but nothing else.
Dougherty and state police aren't revealing the suspect's name or other details until a news conference Friday.
Other reports have said police and the district attorney’s office have filed charges of criminal homicide against the Magnolia man.
The Indiana Gazette reports that a glass sliding door to McGill’s home had been smashed with a rock, but the only item reported missing was her 1982 Ford LTD.
The car was found Dec. 9, four days before McGill’s body was discovered, in the Greyhound bus station near Pittsburgh. No usable fingerprints were reportedly found in the vehicle.
Verbrugge said he personally reached out to Indiana State Police but was unable to learn anything more.
“I guess I’m waiting for Friday,” he said.

You must log in to continue reading. Log in or subscribe today.