More than 30 years after a harrowing murder rocked Westport, the case remains unsolved.
And still open.
A Westport Police Department press release this week recounts the details.
At 11 p.m. on May 24, 1989, officers and firefighters received word of a fire behind the Coffee An’ strip mall on Main Street.
First responders found a woman’s body that had been burned, near the woods.
Shortly after, her husband contacted the Police Department, to report her missing.
The woman — 38-year-old Joan Wertkin — had allegedly left home that evening to shop for groceries, but never returned.
Joan Wertkin
Her white 1988 BMW 325 was parked in front of the shopping plaza. Investigators do not believe she drove herself to that location.
“The murder of Joan Wertkin is an active investigation, and is being evaluated with advanced techniques,” police say.
Anyone with information should contact Lieutenant Jillian Cabana and Detective Philip Restieri: 203-520-3831; coldcasetips@westportct.gov.