Tell me how off I might be (Wil Hendrick)

[StackTime]

On the evening of Wil's disappearance, he argues (showed as light by UM reenactment), goes to a party. Again by UM reenactment, becomes drunk and unable to drive home safely.

Instead of the focus on those third floor jerks, why hasn't more focus been devoted to Jerry's possible involvement?

He could have received a call that Wil was drunk, mad about that and having lingering anger about the argument earlier that night, gets there and drives Wil's car in the direction home. Has to throw the seat back. The argument escalates, and Jerry kills Wil. After all, the autopsy cited murder by someone Wil knew.

And Jerry was too quick to point things out - mud on the wheel wells, the portfolio in the car, the misdirect to his ex-employee.

Unless I'm missing clear evidence that clears Jerry, he's my prime suspect as of today.

[TheCars1986]

Investigators think that the man mentioned in the segment who used a homophobic slur against Jerry picked up a hitchhiker (who was also homophobic) and that this mysterious hitchhiker was Wil's killer.

[StackTime]

Originally Posted by TheCars1986

Investigators think that the man mentioned in the segment who used a homophobic slur against Jerry picked up a hitchhiker (who was also homophobic) and that this mysterious hitchhiker was Wil's killer.

I think that the ex-employee theory is not completely beyond reason but I just see more pointing to Jerry. I don't think he had an alibi that night (if I recall he stayed home to go to bed rather than go out with Wil). Further, a point is made that the investigators believe he was murdered by someone he knew, which wouldn't fit with a hitchhiker committing the crime. I don't know how the ex-employee and/or hitchhiker would know Wil's whereabouts that night, either.

[1990 UM fan]

It was said that the last person to drive Wil's car was a larger person, as the front seat was pushed back farther than Wil would have been comfortable driving. Jerry Schultz, his partner, was a heavier guy.

Over the years, I thought it was the frat boys in the 3rd balcony at the party or maybe the shuttle driver who killed Wil, but I'm starting to lean towards Jerry being more involved.

It was reported in an article years ago that Jerry and Wil didn't have the most perfect relationship. I don't recall the specifics, but Wil would often stay at another gay male friend's house whenever he and Jerry fought. My guess is that Jerry went looking for Wil that night, impatient about Wil being late or thinking he was out hooking up, and probably didn't mean to, but killed Wil during an argument and panicked. The area were Wil's skull was found was said not to be where the murder took place, as the rest of Wil's body has not been found.

What gets me is: How did Jerry get home or back to his own vehicle after leaving Wil's car downtown?

Even after 26 years, the right set of eyes and detective work could bring Wil's killer to justice. Wonder if any agency is still actively working his case?

[StackTime]

Originally Posted by 1990 UM fan

It was said that the last person to drive Wil's car was a larger person, as the front seat was pushed back farther than Wil would have been comfortable driving. Jerry Schultz, his partner, was a heavier guy.

Over the years, I thought it was the frat boys in the 3rd balcony at the party or maybe the shuttle driver who killed Wil, but I'm starting to lean towards Jerry being more involved.

It was reported in an article years ago that Jerry and Wil didn't have the most perfect relationship. I don't recall the specifics, but Wil would often stay at another gay male friend's house whenever he and Jerry fought. My guess is that Jerry went looking for Wil that night, impatient about Wil being late or thinking he was out hooking up, and probably didn't mean to, but killed Wil during an argument and panicked. The area were Wil's skull was found was said not to be where the murder took place, as the rest of Wil's body has not been found.

What gets me is: How did Jerry get home or back to his own vehicle after leaving Wil's car downtown?

Even after 26 years, the right set of eyes and detective work could bring Wil's killer to justice. Wonder if any agency is still actively working his case?

I readily admit that a big hole in the potential "Jerry did it" theory is indeed how he would have managed transportation, especially without arousing suspicion. I have no idea what the distances are between his and Wil's place, the party, where the skull was found, and/or where the car was found. So, I'm not sure if any potential path or set of paths could be walked. And, again, he may have been cleared, perhaps by the police given information we are not privy to. That said, I remain very suspicious.

I really think we can pretty much toss the truck driver/hitchhiker theory, though. They wouldn't know where Wil was, when, and when he might be most vulnerable. A chance encounter is possible, but the odds seem so slim I practically rule it out. (Edit: Plus, the note in the update that authorities believe Wil knew his killer).