Content warning: This article contains descriptions of violence and sexual assault that some readers may find distressing or triggering. Reader discretion is advised.
In the spring of 1971, 17-year-old Johanna Leatherbury was found brutally murdered in a canal near the Great Salt Lake in Utah. Despite decades of investigations and recent advancements in forensic technology, her case remains unsolved, leaving her family and the community searching for answers.
The Discovery
Johanna was last seen on the night of August 20, 1971, near a popular gathering spot known as “The Complex” in Salt Lake City. Witnesses reported seeing her getting into a car with at least two males. The following day, her abandoned Chrysler was found a couple of blocks away on
Westminster Avenue. Later that day, a fisherman discovered her nude body in a canal about half a mile west of the Great Saltair, an abandoned entertainment complex that had been destroyed in a fire the previous year. She had been sexually assaulted, brutally stabbed, and shot. Her purse and wallet were found on the roof of a nearby motel shortly after the murder.
The Investigation
The Unified Police Department launched an extensive investigation into Johanna’s murder. Two juveniles were questioned after their involvement with her purse and wallet, but they were cleared of any wrongdoing. Additionally, a brown International Harvester Scout was spotted near the canal around the time of the murder, but the driver was also ruled out as a suspect. Despite these leads, the case eventually went cold, and authorities labeled it a “dead end.”
Over the years, Johanna’s family has expressed frustration with the lack of progress in the investigation. They have been denied access to police records and have criticized the authorities for not pursuing all possible leads. In 2017, the family was informed that new DNA evidence had been discovered at the crime scene and was being sent for testing. However, the results have not been made public, leaving the family in suspense.
Renewed Hope
In recent years, there has been renewed interest in Johanna’s case. The Utah Cold Case Coalition, a nonprofit organization dedicated to solving unsolved murders, has taken up her case. They have been working closely with the Leatherbury family to advocate for the release of police records and to push for further investigation. The coalition believes that advancements in forensic technology, such as genetic genealogy, could provide new leads in the case.
Despite these efforts, Johanna’s killer remains unidentified, and the case continues to haunt her family and the community. Her brother, Jack Leatherbury, has said that their parents went to their graves without knowing who was responsible for their daughter’s death. The family remains hopeful that, with continued efforts and advancements in forensic science, justice will eventually be served.
Conclusion
The murder of Johanna Leatherbury is a tragic reminder of the many unsolved cases that linger in the shadows of our communities. As spring approaches each year, the Leatherbury family is reminded of the day their lives were forever changed. While the passage of time has not diminished their desire for justice, it has only strengthened their resolve to find answers. The hope remains that, one day, Johanna’s killer will be brought to justice, and her family can finally find peace.
