Detectives ask for public’s help solving 43-year-old cold case

WOODINVILLE, Wash. — Detectives with the King County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help in solving a 43-year-old cold case.

On Feb. 15, 1977, deputies said a “frantic” 911 call came from a home on Mink Rd NE near Woodinville.

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Deputies said the victim, 51-year-old Bill Wills, tried to give his address to the operator, but he “suddenly” went quiet. Officials said a “single pop” was heard a short time later.

“That pop was a single gunshot that killed Bill Wills,” detectives said.

Detectives said they believe Wills was killed during a burglary and they later determined that he had tried to protect himself with his own handgun.

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“Sadly, that same gun is what was used to kill Bill,” detectives said.

Detectives are now asking for anyone with information on the murder to come forward. If you have any information, you can call the sheriff’s office’s non-emergency line at 206-296-3311 or you can leave an anonymous tip here.

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