Second suspect identified in 1970 cold case murder of 16-year-old, Anne Arundel County police say

Police ID suspects in 50-year-old cold case

A second suspect has now been identified in the rape and murder of a teenage girl back in 1970.

ANNE ARUNDEL COUNTY, Md. - A second suspect has been identified in connection to a 1970 cold case murder of a 16-year-old girl in Anne Arundel County, according to police.

Police say 74-year-old Donald Willard is the second suspect in the murder of Pamela Lynn Conyers, who was killed in 1970. Willard, of Montgomery County, died in 2010 at 74 years old.

The first suspect, Forrest Clyde Williams III, was identified through DNA evidence in March 2023. Williams died in 2018 at age 69.

Detectives say they're confident these two are the ones who killed Pam and now, they are asking for the public's help to fill in some missing pieces, and possibly link them to other crimes in the area.

Conyers was reported missing by her family on Oct. 16, 1970. At the time, she was 16 years old and a student at Glen Burnie High School.

Conyers had run an errand at the Harundale Mall around 8:30 p.m. Her family became worried when she didn't return.

RELATED: Anne Arundel County, FBI identify suspect in 1970 cold case murder of 16-year-old

The car Conyers was driving when she disappeared was recovered on Oct. 19, 1970, in a wooded area near Mountain Road and Route 100 in Anne Arundel County.

Then, on Oct. 20, 1970, Conyers' body was found a short distance from the car in a wooded area between the eastbound and westbound lanes of Maryland Route 177 that extended into Millersville, Maryland.

The car and Conyers' body were forensically processed by members of the Anne Arundel County Police Department's Evidence Collection Unit. In addition, various items of evidence were collected from the scene.

Conyers' body was taken to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland for an autopsy. The cause of Conyers' death was determined to be "asphyxiation due to strangulation" and the manner of death was ruled "homicide."

With the assistance of Othram Labs and Parabon Nanolabs, forensic genetic genealogy led police to identify Willard as a second suspect.

And while both Williams and Willard are dead, the investigation still isn't over.

"We recognize this announcement has been a long time coming, particularly for Pam's family and friends. While we do hope it provides a sense of closure for all who knew and loved her, we do know they still seek answers as to what happened to Pam on that Friday, October 16th, 1970," said Anne Arundel Police Chief Amal Awad.

Police are asking for the public's help to fill in some missing pieces.

"Share your experiences with us. Maybe you hunted or fished with them. Maybe you worked or drank a beer with them. If you did, call us," said Justin Mulcahy, Anne Arundel County Police spokesman. "We know relationships change over time. perceptions and loyalties change over time. So bring any information forward on these two individuals that you're thinking, 'I just wasn't sure if I should say anything.; It's the time to say something."

Police told FOX 5 DC that Conyers' family is scattered throughout the country and they have asked for privacy at this time.

Anne Arundel County police are continuing to ask anyone with information to contact them at 410-222-4731 or call the anonymous tip line at 410-222-4700.