PA PA - Katherine Dolan Heckel, 40, Lock Haven, 15 July 1991 *GUILTY*

[JerseyGirl]

Defense, prosecution agree it was the missing woman's blood found on carpet in accused's van

 

[JerseyGirl]

Trial testimony nears end in 27-year-old Pa. murder case

 

[JerseyGirl]

Clinton County Murder Trial Nearing Conclusion

 

[Al Ka]

Groves’ ex-wife talks about case after 27 years

“I don’t really remember it at all. It was our wedding anniversary,” she said. “Loyd brought home pizza for the kids and we went out for dinner. I don’t remember the restaurant.”

When asked about Loyd’s demeanor that evening, she said, “It seemed he had something on his mind.”

Kathy Groves said Loyd came home in the early afternoon … about 12:45 p.m., not for lunch, but to change his clothes, on July 15, 1991. “He said his clothes got messed at work,” she said, adding that he often got dirty while working at Hammermill.

“He was in and out very quickly. He was in a hurry, anxious to get back to work,” she continued.
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“Loyd said she was missing and he was interviewed by police. He said he thought police considered him a prime suspect and he might be arrested. He told us … the family … that’s why he was late for dinner that night … because police were interviewing him about Kathy Heckel being missing. He said to all of us that the police really consider him a prime suspect and he’d probably be arrested.”
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When asked if she knew Kathy Heckel, she said, “No, not really. We met at a Christmas party. I knew her as his co-worker.”

Asked about where he put his dirty clothes that day, she responded, “He was very particular about his clothes. He had a basket. Loyd always did his own laundry. When we were first married he said he would do it himself and I was happy to let him do it.”
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She said Loyd never told her that he was having an affair with Kathy Heckel and he always denied it.

Kathy and Loyd divorced in February 2016.

As Kathy Groves left the witness stand and walked from the courtroom through the main entrance, she turned her head and looked back at Loyd sitting beside his attorneys.

Groves’ ex-wife talks about case after 27 years | News, Sports, Jobs - Williamsport Sun-Gazette

 

[Al Ka]

Verdict in Clinton County Cold-Case Murder

A jury in Clinton County has found a man guilty of third-degree murder in connection with the death of a woman back in the 1990s.

Loyd Groves was found not guilty of first-degree murder by the same jury.
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Loyd Groves now faces the possibility of spending the rest of his life in prison for killing Kathy Heckel 27 years ago.
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The jury began deliberating Friday evening after closing arguments. It took nearly 10 hours for them to reach a verdict.

Jurors found Groves not guilty of first-degree murder but did hold him responsible for Heckel's death by convicting him of third-degree murder.

"I spoke with the family. They are thrilled," said Dye. "They have waited so long to feel as though Kathy is at rest. Today starts that healing process."

Verdict in Clinton County Cold-Case Murder

 

[JerseyGirl]

The circumstantial evidence which led to Groves’ conviction included:

• Former colleagues recalled overhearing the couple have a loud fight before the two went to lunch on the day she disappeared.
• After she vanished, Groves never expressed concerns, and he exhibited signs of paranoia.
• He cut a section of stained carpeting from his van, and DNA evidence near the missing carpeting belonged to Heckel.

Beaver Co. Man Convicted Of Murder; Victim’s Body Was Never Found

 

[JerseyGirl]

he faces 20 to 40 years in prison during his sentencing next year.

Pa. man found guilty of murder in 27-year-old cold case | witf.org

 

[JerseyGirl]

He will be sentenced Jan. 17, 2019, and is facing 20 to 40 years in prison. He remains jailed without bail.

Pa. man found guilty of third-degree murder in 27-year-old case where no body was found

 

[JerseyGirl]

Groves was sentenced to 10 to 20 years in prison for the murder of Kathy Heckel.

Groves' sentence of 10 to 20 years is the maximum. He was sentenced under guidelines that were in place in 1991 since that's when the murder happened.

Groves' defense team plans to appeal.

Since Loyd Groves will be given credit for time served, he could be eligible for parole in six years.

Groves Sentenced in Cold-Case Murder Trial

 

[Suglo]

The arrest and conviction in a 27-year-old homicide cold case in Clinton County made the news in Pennsylvania.

Friday night the nation will learn about the 1991 disappearance of 40-year-old Katherine Dolan Heckel along with the arrest and conviction of Loyd Groves, 69, a co-worker at the former International Paper Co. mill in Lock Haven.

NBC’s “Dateline” at 10 p.m. Eastern will air “She Didn’t Come Home,” with Josh Mankiewicz doing the narration.

1991 Clinton County homicide cold case to be featured on NBC’s ‘Dateline

 

[CastlesBurning]

Bumping for Kathy...it's now been 29 years.

 

[spartanx]

It is more than clear that he was the one who killed her, probably for wanting to end the relationship ... that could only be understood by a sick mind to kill another because she did not want to be with him ... anyway she did not deserve that ending ...
rest in peace Kathy

 

[YaYa_521]

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)
NamUs #MP14211
Katherine Dolan Heckel
Circumstances of Disappearance - Katherine was last seen on 07/15/91 at 1200Hrs and never returned

 

[Pennysmom2]

https://www.fbi.gov/wanted/vicap/missing-persons/katherine-dolan-heckel

April 24, 2019

The story of Kathy Heckel and Loyd Groves

By LAURA JAMESON [email protected] LOCK HAVEN — It’s been five months since the Loyd Groves murder trial ended. Five months since Groves was convicted of third degree murder in the death of Kathy Heckel, who left for lunch on July 15, 1991 and was never seen or heard from again. Now the...

www.lockhaven.com

Jan 17, 2019

Pa. man gets maximum penalty for death of woman whose body was never found

Senior Lycoming County Judge Kenneth D. Brown sentenced Groves, 69, to the maximum term in effect for third-degree murder in 1991 when the crime occurred.

www.pennlive.com

Katherine Dolan Heckel – The Charley Project

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Heckel, circa 1991; Loyd Groves