New article on David Hurley's murder

[crystaldawn]

A veteran lurker on this board has kindly sent me two articles concerning the David Hurley case. One is from 5 years ago but the second is from last month:

Here is the one from 2003:

Cold Case Part V David Hurley<BR>Coach shot three times on Route 22
by Zandy Dudiak, Staff Writer

December 3, 2003

David Hurley, 34, was a typical baseball coach/dad, encouraging the young players on his team, including two of his sons, David, 9, and Sean, 6, to hit the ball and run.

He had more time to spend with his sons than some dads.

Dave had worked in maintenance at Kane Hospital in Pittsburgh but became disabled because of complications from a hernia operation. So he volunteered as an assistant coach for Eastmont Baseball Association in 1992.

Joe Bowman of Monroeville, who was the team’s head coach that year, recalls how Dave worked well with kids.

“He loved kids. He was a super-big kid himself.

“He would build a kid’s ego up. He would wink at them and the kids would just glow. The kids just loved him.”

In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 13, Dave left his Jones Avenue home in Turtle Creek to pick up doughnuts for his brother’s Boy Scout troop.

Bill Hurley, whose troop met at St. John the Baptist Church in Plum Borough, had asked his brother to accompany the Scouts on a weekend outing. They were to leave about 5 a.m.

Between 3 and 3:30 a.m., Dave stopped first at the Penn Center Dunkin’ Donuts in Wilkins Township, then drove westbound on Business Route 22 to meet his brother in Penn Hills.

Along the highway, near the intersection of Hawthorne Drive, he was involved in a “real minor traffic accident” when his van was bumped in the side by another car, according to Tom Wolfson, Allegheny County homicide detective. The intersection is just beyond what is now the Wilkins Township Shop ‘n Save.

Dave got out of his green van to exchange insurance information with the driver of a champagne-colored vehicle, possibly a Honda Prelude. The driver, a black male in his mid-to-late 20s, punched him and shot him in the shoulder, then the lower chest, with a .380 automatic, according to Wolfson and Pamela Hurley, Dave’s widow.

Pam feels his killer was “just out to finish the job” when he sent a third bullet through Dave’s back as he turned to run to the van. That was the lethal bullet.

Dave made it back to his van. Despite his wounds, he was able to drive the approximately two miles to his home, making the first right off Route 22 onto Lower Rodi Road, which turns in to Larimer Avenue, then onto Jones Avenue.

Pam was asleep upstairs when Dave screamed out her name and asked her to come downstairs. She was confused because she thought he’d be gone for the weekend.

He told his wife he had been shot. They went into the kitchen.

Pam recalls there was no visible sign of the wounds — until Dave pulled up his shirt.

Not knowing what to do, she handed her husband a dishcloth to use while she called Turtle Creek police to report the shooting.

A paramedic who lived down the street was the first to arrive at the scene. She remembers the police didn’t come in the house right away, perhaps being cautious because they weren’t sure if a shooter were inside.

Dave sat at the kitchen table, giving police details about what had happened. They didn’t go too in depth with the questioning, she recalls, maybe because he didn’t appear to be gravely injured and they thought there would be time later.

And his wounds didn’t seem too severe, Pam says, until he was on the ambulance gurney.

Then he started having problems breathing.

The one blessing that night was their boys slept through all the commotion.

Dave was transported by Life Flight helicopter to Presbyterian University Hospital in Oakland. Pam still didn’t think Dave’s wounds were life threatening.

She was startled to see someone approach her dressed in a suit in the pre-dawn hours when those coming into the waiting room are usually casually dressed and medical personnel are wearing scrubs or uniforms.

“The one thing that really shocked me,” she says, was when he explained he was from the Allegheny County homicide unit.

Pam’s brother, who has a medical background, knew from the way things were going that Dave’s injuries were worse than they first thought.

Dave died in surgery a few hours later at 6:15 a.m.

In addition to his wife, Dave also left behind three sons: David, Sean and Steven, who was 4 at the time his father was murdered.

Out of respect, Eastmont Baseball Association postponed all games scheduled the day of Dave’s funeral, which was held at Jobe Funeral Home in Turtle Creek. He was buried in Church Hill Cemetery in Wilkins Township.

Both Wilkins police and the Allegheny County Police Homicide Division searched for the suspect’s car and attempted to identify Dave’s killer. Police said at the time the car door on the driver’s side may have been damaged and might have green paint on it from the van.

During the mid-1990s, the case was featured on the television show, “Unsolved Mysteries,” hosted by Robert Stack.

Pam says her brother contacted the show’s producers to see if they’d help in the search for Dave’s killer.

The accident and scene at Dave’s home were re-enacted by actors. Pam still sees the segment run once in awhile on the Lifetime cable channel.

In 1995, Wolfson says, police got a break in the investigation when a crime lab determined a gun involved in another case matched the gun used in Dave’s murder. Because the gun had changed hands since the murder, that investigation led nowhere.

Pam says she got a call from police a few years ago that a warrant had been issued through the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration for someone who was a possible suspect, but that also went nowhere.

Wolfson has confidence this case can be solved. Until then, there is no justice for David Hurley.

Police believe they know who killed Dave. Wolfson says the potential suspect is “a good one.”

“We certainly hope this guy messes up down the line.”

They also believe someone out there can help them close this case.

“We never had quite enough evidence to make an arrest,” says Wolfson.“We’ve always believed there are particular people who have much more information but are afraid to get involved.”

Pam says police told her that a woman may hold the key to convicting the killer. She appeals to her for help, asking her to imagine what it is like, especially if she has children of her own.

“If she has children, then certainly now she should understand the need to come forward,” says Pam.

Dave’s three sons have grown up without their father. Steven, who is now a teenager, doesn’t really remember him.

Pam’s thoughts drift to Dave daily, even when she tries not to think about what happened. But it has been particularly hard on the two older boys, who are now young men.

“David and Sean remember everything,” says Pam. “The older they get, the worse it gets.

“To watch their pain is my worst pain.”

Here's the article from last month:

Road rage incident in Wilkins ended as homicide

More than 15 years ago, a minor traffic accident led to the shooting death of a Turtle Creek man, and police are still working to solve the case.
David Hurley, 34, planned to take a group of Boy Scouts on a canoe trip on June 13, 1992, and he left his home at 3 a.m. to buy doughnuts for the kids before the trip, said Allegheny County police Sgt. Andrew Schurman.

Hurley stopped at a shop on Route 22 in Wilkins and got back into his car, detectives said. As he was driving west on Route 22, a man in a champagne-colored Honda Prelude sideswiped Hurley's 1977 Plymouth van, Schurman said.

Hurley pulled over to exchange information with the other driver, Schurman said. A man got out of his Honda and began arguing with Hurley. The Honda driver then punched Hurley in the chest, investigators said.

Hurley was shot more than once during the altercation, police said.
The gunman drove off and Hurley managed to drive himself home, where his wife called 911. Hurley was taken by ambulance to what is now UPMC Presbyterian, Oakland, where he was pronounced dead just after 6 a.m., Schurman said.

"He was an innocent victim," Schurman said of Hurley. "It looks like what started out as a road rage incident escalated to homicide."

Hurley could not provide a detailed description of the shooter. Investigators have not been able to identify the gunman.

[scm80]

...'cause this is another case that bothered me.

Remember when Stack said "What you are about to see is without warning!"

[Huskerz85]

Reading this just made my blood boil........an innocent man gunned down by nothing more than common street TRASH......

[Todd Mueller]

UM featured a few senseless road rage cases over the years.
The ones that stand out besides the Hurley case:

- The heavy metal DJ who was on his motorcycle and was run down (even though he didn't cause the rager's original anger)

- The lady with the "49ER HUGS" license plates who was followed, and then her friend was shot to death confronting the suspect

- The semi truck driver that hit the guy on the motorcycle and took him for a ride


They caught the guy that did the first one, but the other two are still unsolved, I believe. They all left me feeling frustrated and disappointed in humanity.

[wiseguy182]

Originally Posted by Todd Mueller

UM featured a few senseless road rage cases over the years.
The ones that stand out besides the Hurley case:

- The heavy metal DJ who was on his motorcycle and was run down (even though he didn't cause the rager's original anger)

- The lady with the "49ER HUGS" license plates who was followed, and then her friend was shot to death confronting the suspect

- The semi truck driver that hit the guy on the motorcycle and took him for a ride


They caught the guy that did the first one, but the other two are still unsolved, I believe. They all left me feeling frustrated and disappointed in humanity.

I would add Richard Aderson who was killed after a very minor traffic accident, and the baby that was killed while trying to shield himself with his teddy bear.

[DP1]

Originally Posted by wiseguy182

I would add Richard Aderson who was killed after a very minor traffic accident, and the baby that was killed while trying to shield himself with his teddy bear.

That case was a nightmare without words. I'm glad at least they caught the guy responsible.

All these road rage cases are bad. I've always remembered this one with David Hurley and the fact that there wasn't enough information to get a sketch of the suspect.

It's UM that showed me how dangerous these things could be. I remember nearly getting into an accident on a busy road. The guy drove up beside me and went crazy. I told him I was sorry (I have no idea whose fault it was) but that just seemed to infuriate him more and he wanted me to pull over. I'd seen enough of these cases on UM to know not to do that. He kept this up for two minutes before driving away. Scary, scary stuff.

[wiseguy182]

they're still looking for Richard Aderson's killer. I thought there was a good chance that one would be solved, since they had a good composite sketch of the guy, he was pretty distinctive looking, and New Hampshire is a pretty small state, but the case is at least 10 years old I believe with no update.

there are some definite freaks on the road. I'm paranoid to have people drive immediately behind me. I'm not sure if it's because i've seen some of the UM cases or because I was rear-ended when I was only 19, but I hate people driving immediately behind me.

[DP1]

I don't like that either. People are just crazy sometimes.

Unsolved Mysteries taught me two things. One, never pulled over during a case of road rage. Two, never go to an ATM at night by yourself.

[ThatGirlAlso]

The one thing Unsolved Mysteries didn't mention is that David Eugene Hurley, had a daughter born on October 20, 1979.

My name is Nicole Marie Hurley and as of this day (12-31-08) I am 29 years old.

My mom, Kathleen O'Donnell, was married to my dad before Pam was ever in the picture. Regardless of the fact that they only got married at a courthouse, in the middle of the night in their pajamas because she was pregnant with me, she was still his first wife; his high school sweetheart. Only after they got divorced did he marry Pam and go on to have 3 sons, my half-brothers.

A couple of years ago, I found the middle son, my brother, Sean on MySpace. He and I have been in contact ever since. David and Steven know about me now but didn't until early 2000's when I was getting new tires on my car and the guy who helped me, Russ (David's best friend at the time) asked me if I was related to him and I said, "Yes, David and his brothers are MY half brothers but they don't know about me."

After that day, however, they did. Apparently, Russ told David he met his supposed half sister so, he confronted his mother and she didn't deny it. I had given Russ my phone number to give to him but since he never called, I'm assuming it was too difficult a situation which is understandable.

The ****ed up thing about Pam is, she and my mom never got along. Because of that, she took it out on me and that effected my relationship with my dad (what little of one we had, anyway). My dad used to get me on the weekends until one weekend my mom said I came home and said that Pam hit me. After that, I wasn't allowed over their house.

The last time I remember seeing my dad was when I was 9. His brother, Billy, lived a few houses down the street from where I lived with my mom and step-dad. I remember playing outside and seeing my mom talking to a man on the front porch. Honestly, I didn't even know that it was my dad because like I said, we didn't have much of a relationship. Apparently, he had come over to show me that he'd gotten my name tattooed on him.

Being a young child, I didn't have much say in what went on in my life. Looking back on it now, I wish I'd have been able to spend more time with him while he was on this earth.

He died when I was 12 years old. I remember like it was yesterday. Then, to see the stories on the news and see the articles in the paper mention that he is survived by his 3 SONS and NO mention of his DAUGHTER really made me feel like crap. But, my mom made sure to call up ever news station that would listen and told them that he did in fact have another child.

The main thing about him dying, that I'll never forget, is that I was not allowed to go to his funeral. In fact, my 'darling' step-mother, Pam, had me and my mother police escorted out of the funeral home. Do you know how traumatizing that was for me?

4 years later, almost to the day, in June 1996, my mom, step-dad and I moved to Florida, where I lived until I was 22. I moved back to Pittsburgh for a few years (Nov 2001 - Dec 2004) where one of the first things I did, being that I was now an adult, was find and visit my father's grave to pay my respects after all those years and tell him how much I loved, missed and wished I had been able to have a life with him. I always wanted to be daddy's little girl and unfortunately, never had the opportunity.

It wasn't until 2007 that I found my brother, Sean, on MySpace. Though we haven't met...yet...I'm thankful every day that he even took the time to talk to me and acknowledge the fact that yes, he does have a sister. I loved talking to him and hearing stories about our father. I even sent him old pictures of me, my father and my mother that he seemed to appreciate. And after one particular conversation we had, I can't listen to the song, "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton with out crying my eyes out because it was our father's favorite song.

June of 2009 will mark 17 years since my father was murdered. It will also be my son's 4th birthday. My son, Vincent, will never get to know his grandfather. Yes, he has my step-dad (his pap pap) and yes, I had my step-dad as a father figure growing up but that doesn't change the fact that my biological father was murdered in cold-blood.

I hope that one day, his killer is caught and gets everything that he deserves; selfish bastard that he is.

Sorry about such a long comment but thank you for taking the time to listen to my story.

-Nicole

*edit*

I keep trying to add pictures but they aren't showing up. Here are the link in case you want to see.

The only picture I have of me, my mom and my dad. It was taken shortly after I was born.

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...t=DadMeMom.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=DadMe.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=Dad-1.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=Dad-2.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=Dad-3.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...ent=MomDad.jpg

[crystaldawn]

Thanks so much Nicole for posting! It always nice to hear from loved ones whose cases were profiled on UM. First off very sorry about your father's death. No we had no idea he had a daughter as UM didn't mention it. Everything you've went through in regards to your father sounds horrible. I am glad you have been able to reconnect with a stepbrother though. I'm sure that would make your father happy. Once again my sympathy and thanks for posting.

[ThatGirlAlso]

Thank you, so much. And thank you for even caring enough to post about his death.

Once correction, though. Half-brother, not step-brother. We have the same dad, remember?

= )

[crystaldawn]

Originally Posted by ThatGirlAlso

One correction, though. Half-brother, not step-brother. We have the same dad, remember?

= )

Oh yes, sorry about that.

[ThatGirlAlso]

It's ok.

I added some links to pictures if you'd like to see them.

I couldn't get the actual picture to show up. I'm not familiar with this message board and the HTML yet.

[GavinD80]

I was wondering about this ace. Sad to see it hasn't been resolved yet.

[hurley232323]

Originally Posted by ThatGirlAlso

The one thing Unsolved Mysteries didn't mention is that David Eugene Hurley, had a daughter born on October 20, 1979.

My name is Nicole Marie Hurley and as of this day (12-31-08) I am 29 years old.

My mom, Kathleen O'Donnell, was married to my dad before Pam was ever in the picture. Regardless of the fact that they only got married at a courthouse, in the middle of the night in their pajamas because she was pregnant with me, she was still his first wife; his high school sweetheart. Only after they got divorced did he marry Pam and go on to have 3 sons, my half-brothers.

A couple of years ago, I found the middle son, my brother, Sean on MySpace. He and I have been in contact ever since. David and Steven know about me now but didn't until early 2000's when I was getting new tires on my car and the guy who helped me, Russ (David's best friend at the time) asked me if I was related to him and I said, "Yes, David and his brothers are MY half brothers but they don't know about me."

After that day, however, they did. Apparently, Russ told David he met his supposed half sister so, he confronted his mother and she didn't deny it. I had given Russ my phone number to give to him but since he never called, I'm assuming it was too difficult a situation which is understandable.

The ****ed up thing about Pam is, she and my mom never got along. Because of that, she took it out on me and that effected my relationship with my dad (what little of one we had, anyway). My dad used to get me on the weekends until one weekend my mom said I came home and said that Pam hit me. After that, I wasn't allowed over their house.

The last time I remember seeing my dad was when I was 9. His brother, Billy, lived a few houses down the street from where I lived with my mom and step-dad. I remember playing outside and seeing my mom talking to a man on the front porch. Honestly, I didn't even know that it was my dad because like I said, we didn't have much of a relationship. Apparently, he had come over to show me that he'd gotten my name tattooed on him.

Being a young child, I didn't have much say in what went on in my life. Looking back on it now, I wish I'd have been able to spend more time with him while he was on this earth.

He died when I was 12 years old. I remember like it was yesterday. Then, to see the stories on the news and see the articles in the paper mention that he is survived by his 3 SONS and NO mention of his DAUGHTER really made me feel like crap. But, my mom made sure to call up ever news station that would listen and told them that he did in fact have another child.

The main thing about him dying, that I'll never forget, is that I was not allowed to go to his funeral. In fact, my 'darling' step-mother, Pam, had me and my mother police escorted out of the funeral home. Do you know how traumatizing that was for me?

4 years later, almost to the day, in June 1996, my mom, step-dad and I moved to Florida, where I lived until I was 22. I moved back to Pittsburgh for a few years (Nov 2001 - Dec 2004) where one of the first things I did, being that I was now an adult, was find and visit my father's grave to pay my respects after all those years and tell him how much I loved, missed and wished I had been able to have a life with him. I always wanted to be daddy's little girl and unfortunately, never had the opportunity.

It wasn't until 2007 that I found my brother, Sean, on MySpace. Though we haven't met...yet...I'm thankful every day that he even took the time to talk to me and acknowledge the fact that yes, he does have a sister. I loved talking to him and hearing stories about our father. I even sent him old pictures of me, my father and my mother that he seemed to appreciate. And after one particular conversation we had, I can't listen to the song, "Tears in Heaven" by Eric Clapton with out crying my eyes out because it was our father's favorite song.

June of 2009 will mark 17 years since my father was murdered. It will also be my son's 4th birthday. My son, Vincent, will never get to know his grandfather. Yes, he has my step-dad (his pap pap) and yes, I had my step-dad as a father figure growing up but that doesn't change the fact that my biological father was murdered in cold-blood.

I hope that one day, his killer is caught and gets everything that he deserves; selfish bastard that he is.

Sorry about such a long comment but thank you for taking the time to listen to my story.

-Nicole

*edit*

I keep trying to add pictures but they aren't showing up. Here are the link in case you want to see.

The only picture I have of me, my mom and my dad. It was taken shortly after I was born.

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...t=DadMeMom.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=DadMe.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=Dad-1.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=Dad-2.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...rent=Dad-3.jpg

http://s17.photobucket.com/albums/b5...ent=MomDad.jpg

Listen Nicole, I'm Pam hurley's sixteen year old daughter,Lacey, but i have a different father. I'm VERY offended of how bad you talk about my mother. Youre distorting of what really happened and forgot to mention how your mother is. Your jealous mother brainwashed you and my brother Sean told me the sickening things you said to him that made him very upset. You told Sean that if David wasnt with my mom, he would still be alive. THATS ****ED UP! My brothers David, Sean, and Steve are the most amazing brothers i could ever ask for. I also have a little sister, Breanna whos 13. My mother had been in so much pain over her husband's death. She had turn to alcohol for relief for practically my whole life and i have been fatherless also. But my mom completely changed her life around, fore should would do anything for her children. My poor mother has been through so much and i commend her for her strength. To survive what my mom been through, not just the death of David, you have to be superwoman. And i dont want you making her seem any less then a strong woman.

And for those who are interested about my 3 amazing half-brothers... Steven is now 22.. He attends California University and is majoring in business. He has always been extremely intelligent and a straight A student. Steve was always a father figure toward me and was always there for me ( hes the strict one). I looked up to him all my life. In highschool he was known for his athleticism. He was a FOOTBALL STAR! He was the best player on the team. Steve was good at anything he tried. Wrestling, track, baseball, basketball etc. He was also popular and good looking. The girls are always chasing after him. He has never had a sip of alcohol in his life or even puffed a cigarette. And he has a very strong mind set and is going to be successful. My intelligent brother can fix anything, computers, cars, anything. He is going to transfer to San Diego California soon which is the top business school in the country. Steve always spends time with my sister and I and has the biggest heart. What brother do you know buys an xbox, rockband, and designer clothes for his sisters. Hes been waiting in line since two in the morning in the pouring, freezing, windy (Its Black Friday) so he can get a laptop for my sister.Steve has been successful in so many other ways i couldn't possibly type it all. Steven had to grow up without his father but is living an amazing life that i know his father couldnt help to be proud of. He will make an amazing father one day.

Sean is 25 years old. He goes to Pittsburgh University and is majoring in English literature. He wants to be an English professor and/or a writer. Sean is the funny and creative one. He loves having fun with my sister and I. He had a lifethreatining heart problem all his life and was said to only life for a few days after he was concieved. But he is 25 still going strong. He is getting engaged, about to graduate college (hes been sick), and his heart condition is scary but has never stopped him. Of course he cant be a professional wrestler like on WWE haha which he loves. Sean has always been there for me and is an incredible brother. He is such a heartwarming guy that so many people admire. Finacially, he isnt doing to well but when he gets his degree it will all way off. He deserves everything for how much he helps his family. I have a lot more to say about him about him but i got to get ready .. LOVE YA SEAN

Last but not least, David who is 27. David was the best, left-handed pitcher in baseball. Actually the best pitcher in Plum have ever had. Scouts came over to check Dave out when he was only 10! he was a child prodigy.Being his father was a baseball couch, dave continued his love for baseball. With the major leagues a possibility, a tragedy occured. He injured his elbow and had multiple surgeries but could never pitch the same again. Out of my brothers and mom, dave had been the most effected of his fathers death. He has many psychological problems but is going to therapy. Everyone in my family has depression and anxiety but Dave is really struggling. he didnt graduate highschool, nor is going to college. But I still have hopes for him. He has overdosed on heroin and almost died but no longer has a drug problem. He is still a great, and very intelligent guy. When dave helped with softball i got a warm yet sickening feeling in my heart. Seeing him on the baseball mound was a terrible heartache to watch. He could be in the major leagues right now but i know there is a reason he isnt. I know his life is going to turn around.

All my brothers are completely different.. Steve has blonde hair, Sean has red, and dave has black.. And its all natural. Steve likes rap, Sean likes rock, and Dave likes metal. And i cant even explain how different they are mentally but they all connect. Eventhough we have different fathers, we all share pain in our family and love eachother dearly through all the drama and mess. Ive been living with my brothers since 94 well sean and steve moved out.. we may have different fathers but to me, they're my full blood. I love them and i know they would do anything for my sister and I and vise-versa. Im proud to be a Hurley. And to have such an incredible family.