safety
Evidence destroyed, a case gone cold: Gail Webster’s daughters still fight for justice
By Karen Drew, Kayla Clarke at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News
· July 6, 2026
· 5 min read
Gail Webster was beaten to death in her Troy apartment in 1978. The killer has never been caught.In 2020, there was a push for witnesses to come forward. Troy police said at the time they reviewed leads and followed up on tips, but made no headway.Gail Webster’s murder is considered an unsolved c...
Key takeaway Gail Webster’s 1978 murderGail Webster and her daughter, Terry Webster King, lived together at Somerset Apartments in the 2900 block of Dorchester Drive in Troy.
Why this matters in The Detroit
The destruction of vital evidence in Gail Webster's case is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in maintaining and preserving evidence over time. In a region where cold cases can span decades, the integrity of evidence storage and handling is crucial. The loss of the robe and nightgown, which could have held DNA evidence, is particularly troubling given the lack of progress in the case. As Gail Webster's daughters continue to fight for justice, their efforts highlight the need for local law enforcement agencies to review and improve their evidence management protocols to prevent such losses in the future. This case also underscores the importance of community engagement and witness participation in solving crimes, as the initial push for witnesses to come forward in 2020 demonstrated. The Webster family's perseverance serves as a testament to the enduring impact of violent crime on local families and the need for resolution.
About this story
Original reporting by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . The Detroit surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 6, 2026 ·
Source: WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Gail Webster was beaten to death in her Troy apartment in 1978. The killer has never been caught.In 2020, there was a push for witnesses to come forward. Troy police said at the time they reviewed leads and followed up on tips, but made no headway.Gail Webster’s murder is considered an unsolved c...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 6, 2026 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News and curated for The Detroit readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Karen Drew, Kayla Clarke at WDIV ClickOnDetroit (NBC) - Local News. To learn more about how The Detroit selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Detroit, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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