MURDER
CASE #: 1970-8
Mary Petry
Status:
Open
Date of Offense:
Date of Offense:
Offense Location:
Columbus, Ohio
Summary:
Mary Petry, 20, arrived at her boyfriend Bill Sproat's off-campus Columbus apartment on Friday, February 27, 1970, intending to spend the weekend with him. Both victims were strangled and stabbed numerous times, with each sustaining blunt force trauma injuries to the head. Despite the recovery of DNA evidence from the crime scene, the case went cold as no solid leads or viable suspects materialized.
Vital Statistics
Circumstances of Offense:
On Friday, February 27, 1970, 20-year-old Mary Petry arrived at the off-campus apartment of her boyfriend, 22-year-old Bill Sproat, intending to spend the weekend with him. Between 7 p.m. and 10 p.m., the couple was brutally murdered. On the morning of February 28, 1970, Sproat's roommate and childhood friend returned to their apartment at 178 ½ W. Eighth Ave. to see a horrific sight of Sproat, 22, and his girlfriend Mary Petry, 20, deceased. Sproat was stabbed more than 20 times, his wrists bound to his ankles with wire hangers, and a gag in his mouth. Petry was stabbed more than a dozen times, her skull crushed with a bowling ball, and she'd been sexually assaulted. Bloody fingerprints were found at the scene.
Additional Details:
According to police reports, a lack of forced entry or apparent robbery supports the assumption the couple knew the assailant. The sheer brutality of the crime seemed to suggest that the assailant may have been known to one or both of the victims, but who would have wanted to harm these two quiet, well-liked students remained a mystery. Despite police receiving hundreds of tips in the immediate aftermath of the crime, the case ultimately ran cold after a few months. In 2023, Columbus police submitted the DNA to a genealogy lab. Genetic genealogy has helped to solve many cold cases over the years. Police have made new progress and recently identified a person of interest. The homicide investigation by the Columbus Police Department is ongoing.
Case Last Updated:
No lead detective assigned
Can you help?
Without a lead detective or agency contact email, tips to help solve the case can't get to the right place. Community members, you can help by calling the agency and asking for that information to then share with Solve the Case.
Investigating agency
Not listed yet
Ask for the detective handling this case, or an email address where tips can be sent.
Share what you learn
Associated Persons
Martha P. (Sister) - Living
Bill S. (Boyfriend, co-victim) - Deceased
Case Content Disclaimer: The details on this case page are sourced from numerous locations to include family, friends, news postings and government public releases. Solve the Case, Inc. does not guarantee the accuracy of any content as case pages are living documents that frequently update as case details expand.