Cold Case Files: The Sunday Morning Slasher

Introduction

In the gripping episode titled "The Sunday Morning Slasher," host Paula Barros delves into one of America's most chilling and elusive serial killer cases. Based on the Emmy-nominated series from A&E, this episode meticulously unpacks the harrowing journey from the initial murders in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to the eventual capture and downfall of Coral Eugene Watts. Through detailed discussions, insightful interviews, and poignant reflections, listeners are taken on a comprehensive exploration of how a determined investigative team pieced together the puzzle of a man who would become one of the most notorious serial killers in U.S. history.

The Ann Arbor Murders

The story begins on September 14, 1980, a seemingly ordinary Sunday morning in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Detective Paul Bunton arrives at the scene of a brutal murder that would set the stage for a series of heinous crimes.

Detective Paul Bunton [01:22]: "Well, I walked in and as I looked down the walkway here, I could see Rebecca Hough's body lying face down right in this area right here. And spread around here was books and book bag and things like that."

Rebecca Greer Huff, a 30-year-old graduate student, was found stabbed over 50 times, likely with a screwdriver—a method of operation (M.O.) that would soon reveal a terrifying pattern. In the following months, two more women, Shirley Small (17) and Glenda Richmond (26), met similar fates. The brutality and timing of these murders unmistakably pointed to a serial killer.

Detective Paul Bunton [02:13]: "It became glaringly obvious at that point because of the wound pattern. And again, time of mourning Sunday morning, a couple of months apart, that we had a serial killer on our hands."

As fear gripped the college town, the local media quickly labeled the perpetrator the "Sunday Morning Slasher," amplifying the community's anxiety.

The Investigation Unfolds

Despite the evident M.O., the Ann Arbor police struggled to make significant progress for the first three months. It wasn't until Detective Bunton received an unexpected call from Detroit investigator Jim Arthurs that the investigation took a pivotal turn.

Detective Paul Bunton [03:02]: "When I read the M.O. the method of operation of the perpetrator, I recognized it immediately. As being that of Coral Eugene Watts."

Coral Eugene Watts had been a prime suspect in the 1974 unsolved murder of Gloria Steele, whose violent stabbing resembled the Ann Arbor killings. Watts’ troubled history, marked by violent assaults and psychiatric confinement, made him a person of interest, though his residence 50 miles away in Detroit posed a significant challenge.

Watts as a Suspect

Armed with the tip from Arthurs, Detective Bunton began a thorough background check on Watts. The more he unearthed, the more convinced he became of Watts' guilt.

Detective Paul Bunton [04:00]: "Watts’ background is checkered with violent assaults and psychiatric confinement. And when Bunton digs into the Gloria Steel case, he begins to see what Detective Arthurs saw."

However, Watts’ location in Detroit meant lacking direct evidence placing him in Ann Arbor. This hurdle seemed insurmountable until an opportunity presented itself on November 15, 1980.

Arrest and Interrogation

During a routine night patrol, Officer Don Terry observed a man acting suspiciously near a walking victim, which turned out to be Watts.

Detective Paul Bunton [04:50]: "And we saw a young lady walking down the street at 4:30 in the morning by herself. And she wasn't just walking, she was looking around everywhere."

Terry’s prompt identification led to Watts' arrest for stalking. Although Watts did not immediately confess to any murders, the arrest allowed the police to search his vehicle, uncovering wood carving tools that matched the wound patterns of the victims—strengthening the case against him.

Detective Paul Bunton [06:33]: "It yielded a lot of things that led us to believe that he very well may have been our suspect. There were some wood carving tools that the tools looked remarkably like the wounds."

Watts in Texas

After months of surveillance, Watts vanished from Houston, Texas, where Detective Doug Bostock had been monitoring him. During this period, Watts committed further crimes, including the murders of Elena Simander and Lori Lister, leaving the authorities struggling to keep him in custody.

Detective Paul Bunton [10:14]: "He was a hard worker. He had two jobs, a lot of time, and for like four, five, six months, he never did anything. And then all of a sudden, boom, he was out there driving around, stalking as your natural predator."

Continued Murders and Confessions

Coral Watts’ spree extended beyond Ann Arbor, with multiple attacks and murders across Texas. Survivors like Lori Lister and Melinda Aguilar provided crucial testimonies that linked Watts to these crimes.

Detective Paul Bunton [14:02]: "Melinda. Is she okay? Oh, the balcony, yeah, because when I... stole her belongings, including a set of architectural drawings. Drawings which Watts later burned."

In a pivotal moment, Watts agreed to lead the police on a tour of his crime scenes, offering detailed confessions to twelve unsolved homicides. His cooperation, however, was contingent upon a plea deal that would have significant repercussions.

Legal Challenges and Release

In September 1982, Watts pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to commit murder, receiving a 60-year sentence. Crucially, this deal exempted him from charges related to twelve of his confessed murders in Harris County, Texas.

Detective Paul Bunton [24:08]: "You don't give immunity to a murderer. You just don't do that."

This plea bargain created a loophole that would later allow Watts to be eligible for early release, despite being a confessed serial killer.

Advocacy Efforts

Harriet Samander, mother of one of Watts' victims, and Andy Kahn, a victim’s rights advocate, spearheaded efforts to prevent Watts' release. They petitioned the Texas legislature to abolish the mandatory release law, achieving partial success in 1996 but unable to retroactively apply the change to Watts’ case.

Detective Paul Bunton [25:25]: "It was unbelievable that he was allowed to kill so many women knowing what they knew about him. It's frustrating."

Their relentless advocacy kept public attention on Watts’ impending release, highlighting systemic flaws in the criminal justice system that allowed a serial killer to potentially regain freedom.

Final Trial and Conviction

In 2005, due to renewed efforts and a crucial eyewitness testimony from Joseph Foy, Watts was finally brought to trial in Michigan for the murder of Helen Dutcher. Prosecutor Donna Pendergast presented compelling evidence, including Watts’ own confessions and testimonies from survivors.

Detective Paul Bunton [43:34]: "He was the first time like this. When he got here. He pushed it all the way inside and then kicked like this. That's when he cut the rest of my neck and my ear."

The jury, recognizing the overwhelming evidence and the pattern of Watts' crimes, convicted him of first-degree premeditated murder, sentencing him to life in prison without parole.

Detective Paul Bunton [45:11]: "You do say upon your oath that you find the defendant guilty of first degree premeditated murder."

Watts' Death and Legacy

Coral Eugene Watts died in September 2007 from prostate cancer, putting an end to one of the most notorious serial killer cases in the United States. Despite his death, many questions remain about the full extent of his crimes, as authorities could only confirm a fraction of his alleged murders.

Detective Paul Bunton [45:30]: "He should be dead right now. He's breathing borrowed air. The only thing I can say, I hope God escorts his ass to hell."

Reflection and Closure

Detective Bunton reflects on the emotional toll the case took on him and the victims' families, expressing frustration over the justice system's shortcomings that allowed Watts to evade full accountability.

Detective Paul Bunton [24:33]: "I was obsessed with this case for several years. It's frustrating. It's a portion of your life that there's no closure to. And the victims families, there's no closure. And that bothered me a lot."

The episode concludes by highlighting the critical need for vigilance and systemic improvements to prevent such tragedies from recurring, ensuring that justice prevails for all victims.

Conclusion

"The Sunday Morning Slasher" serves as a sobering reminder of the complexities and challenges inherent in solving cold cases. Through meticulous investigation, unwavering determination, and the tireless advocacy of victims' families, justice was eventually served in the case of Coral Eugene Watts. This episode not only recounts the harrowing details of the murders but also underscores the enduring impact on those left behind and the imperative for continuous improvement within the criminal justice system.