Unified Police make arrest in 2010 killing of Sherry Black

Oct 10, 2020, 3:21 PM | Updated: 5:12 pm

Utah lawmakers proposed a bill spelling out exactly how police can use genetic tests like 23andMe i...

FILE: A photo of Sherry Black and her first granddaughter taken in 1990 sits on a shelf in B&B Billiards and Books in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 28, 2011. Black was brutally murdered in her bookstore in 2010. Photo credit: Kristin Murphy, Deseret News

SALT LAKE CITY — A suspect is under arrest in the 2010 death of Sherry Black, the mother-in-law of former Utah Jazz CEO Greg Miller.

In a statement, Salt Lake County Sheriff Rosie Rivera says the arrest was made by Unified Police (UPD), and that the case will be screened with the Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office early next week.

Rivera identified the suspect as 29-year-old Adam Durborow, who was reportedly arrested without incident at his Orem home on Saturday by Unified Police Department officers.

Rivera was not at liberty to reveal any other details, including how Durborow was identified as a suspect, if a tip from the public lead to Durborow, or if DNA played a role in the arrest.

Background

Suspect in the Sherry Black homicide, 29-year-old Adam Durborrow. Photo credit: SLCO Sheriff

On Nov. 5, 2010, Sherry Black was found beaten and stabbed to death inside her business, B&W

This DNA phenotype shows what the killer of Sherry Black might look like.

This DNA phenotype shows what the killer of Sherry Black might look like.

Billiards and Books, at 3466 S. 700 E. in South Salt Lake.

Rivera says that, at that time, the South Salt Lake Police Department (SSLPD) began a homicide investigation. A motive was never discovered.

In 2013, SSLPD sought the help of UPD’s Cold Case Unit and UPD became the lead investigating agency 2018.

In 2017, Parabon Nanaolabs provided a composite sketch of a suspect. Using DNA found at the scene of Black’s death, the lab conducted Snapshot Forensic DNA phenotyping which it “accurately predicts genetic ancestry, eye color, hair color, skin color, freckling, and face shape from any ethnic background, even individuals  with mixed ancestry,” the lab says on its website

Also in 2017, the Black’s family members added to a reward for information, increasing the total to $250,000.

“The diligent work of the detectives from both agencies over the last ten years has resulted in today’s arrest,” said Sheriff Rivera in a statement on Saturday.

“I want to thank the detectives, investigators, and many others from UPD, SSLPD, DA, the Utah Crime Lab, and Parabon Nanolabs for working together in common pursuit of justice for the Black family.”

The investigation into Black’s death remains an open and active investigation according to the Salt Lake County Sheriff’s office. Rivera did not provide details about the person arrested in the case. 

 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

In a statement, the Defense Department said Feehan, who was killed in Jordan, would be posthumously...

Heather Peterson

Southern Utah University grieves student, service member killed in Jordan

One of the two service members killed in an Iranian ballistic missile and drone attack in Jordan last week, 1st Lt. Tyler James Feehan, was a student at Southern Utah University.

9 hours ago

A day after the fire on Monday along a rail corridor shared by Utah Transit Authority and Union Pac...

Tim Vandenack, KSL

Feds, state officials probe Roy fire that torched 3 homes, but quiet for now on cause

By Tuesday afternoon, there was no word from federal or state officials how a fire that torched 3 homes in Roy, began.

9 hours ago

After the loss of homes and businesses to wildfire, residents near the Cottonwood Fire in Utah had ...

Eric Cabrera

Disaster recovery expert explains why flooding after the Cottonwood Fire creates new challenges in Beaver County

After the loss of homes and businesses to wildfire, residents near the Cottonwood Fire in Utah had another disaster to avert: flash flooding and debris flows.

10 hours ago

Asay Martinis and Ben Floyd walk at the Great Salt Lake in Salt Lake City on Thursday, June 4, 2026...

Adam Small

Great Salt Lake hits lowest level in more than 3 years, but managers say conservation is paying off

At the time of publication, the south arm of Great Salt Lake sat at 4,190.9 feet above sea level. That's less than a foot above the lake's low point in 2021.

11 hours ago

With Lake Powell's water levels increasing all year, it's hard to believe that they may be in dange...

Eric Cabrera

Lake Powell accident leads to 11 surgeries and uncertain recovery for 14-year-old Utah girl

What began as the final evening of a family vacation at Lake Powell turned into weeks in the hospital, 11 surgeries and an uncertain recovery for 14-year-old Grey Clissold.

12 hours ago

A firefighter works to protect a structure near the Babylon Fire in San Juan County on June 27. U.S...

Carter Williams, KSL

Forest Service determines what sparked Utah’s largest fire so far this year

On Tuesday the US Forest Service said the Babylon Fire within the Manti-La Sal National Forest was caused by lightning on June 25; however, smoke wasn't noticed until a day later.

14 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

...

Bear Lake

Road trip ready: How Bear Lake became the go-to destination for Western U.S. travelers

Whether you are chasing pristine beaches, fresh raspberry shakes, or endless water sports, this sponsored guide—brought to you in partnership with Bear Lake —uncovers everything you need to plan the ultimate getaway.   There’s nothing quite like the thrill of hopping in the car with your favorite snacks in tow and heading out for a […]

...

Harper Clinic

A new standard of care: How Harper Clinic’s IOP is changing the face of mental health treatment in Utah

This article is sponsored by Harper Clinic, a Utah-based clinic offering FDA-approved TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression.    Utah’s mental health crisis is leaving many residents caught in an uncomfortable middle ground: struggling too much for weekly therapy alone, but unable to step away from work, parenting or daily life for inpatient treatment. As demand […]

...

Harper Clinic

Breaking free from depression: How Harper Clinic’s TMS Therapy can help

This article is sponsored by Harper Clinic, a Utah-based clinic offering FDA-approved TMS therapy for treatment-resistant depression.    The weight of depression is real. Many people spend years fighting it, adjusting medications, managing side effects and wondering if this is simply how life is going to feel.   According to the World Health Organization, depression affects […]

mental health...

Andrew Adams, KSL

Library discussions bring men’s mental health to the surface

Therapists say it’s common for men to repress things like trauma, grief, stress and anxiety. Now, a new weekly series of discussions aims to help men bring it all to the surface.

...

Bear Lake Convention & Visitors Bureau

Cozy up in Bear Lake: Discover the magic of a winter getaway

SALT LAKE CITY – The holiday season shines brightest when time slows down and loved ones gather. Gifts, decorations and festive music come and go, but shared experiences tend to last much longer. Research supports that idea. Dr. Theresa E. DiDonato told Psychology Today that vacations can strengthen relationships by creating meaningful time away from daily […]

...

Harper Clinic

Rewriting the path to healing: Inside Harper Clinic’s whole-person mental health model

OREM — A few decades ago, you’d have had a hard time finding a doctor to treat both your mind and body; And a century ago, you’d have been hard-pressed to find a doctor to treat your mind at all. Today, medical professionals are understanding more and more the undeniable connection between the body and […]

Unified Police make arrest in 2010 killing of Sherry Black