One Year Later, Family Still Seeks Answer to Bookseller's Murder

- by Michael Stillman

Sherry and Earl Black, from the Sherry Black website.

There were two pieces of evidence from the crime scene that police have released to the public. One is that they found blood, and with it, DNA identification of the killer. Police believe he may injured himself, possibly cutting a hand, during the crime. The DNA has not successfully matched up with anyone on record. Police do know from it that the killer was male. The other piece of evidence is a belt found alongside of Mrs. Black's body. It is an Armani belt, and the user's waist size would be 36-38. The buckle has the logo “AX” (for Armani Exchange) on the front, and a sticker on its back with the number “323.” Police have speculated that the number could be an inventory or other identification number from a store or thrift shop. Anyone who might have any knowledge of the source of this belt is encouraged to contact authorities. Police have not said whether the belt was used in the crime, or whether they believe it belonged to the killer. It did not belong to anyone in the Black family.

One factor that may help in locating the killer is that Sherry Black had connections to one of Salt Lake City's most important families. Her daughter, Heidi Miller, is married to Greg Miller, CEO of the Larry H. Miller Group. Among the Miller Group's properties is the Salt Lake City NBA basketball team, the Utah Jazz. Her friends and family have put up a reward of up to $50,000 for the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the crime. They have also opened a website to offer details about the case and reward, and a place where anyone with information can provide it to the authorities (either by name or anonymously if preferred). While it is unknown whether her connection to the book trade had anything to do with the murder, if anyone in the field knows anything that has even the slightest chance of being helpful in unraveling this case, they are urged to report it. The website, and a means of providing information, can be found at www.sherryblackinfo.com.