NKPD Using Facebook to Solve 1980 Murder

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg was just a twinkle in his mother's eye when 24-year-old Joanne Lee Reynolds was found dead in North Kingstown after a brutal murder in 1980. Thirty-two years after her murder, law enforcement is using the social media platform to try to solve her murder.

The North Kingstown Police Department is turning to Facebook to gather information and possible leads to help solve the cold case. Detective John Urban of the North Kingstown Police Department created a Facebook page for Joanne Lee Reynolds after seeing the success of using social media in a case in Warwick. According to Det. Urban, Warwick detectives now have a lead into the Kathy Perry 1986 murder case from information derived via Facebook.

Det. Urban is hoping for the same will happen with Reynolds who was found dead in her apartment at 1185 Ten Rod Rd. on Feb. 16 1980. 

"I am looking for any information that may facilitate the capture of her killer, including details about her personal life," said Det. Urban on Reynolds' Facebook page. "Sometimes the information you think is'nt important (like where she hung out, what her favorite hobbies were, etc.) is very helpful to a police investigation."

If you have any information, please contact Det. Urban at joannereynoldsnk@gmail.com or by phone at 401-294-3316 ext. 8212.