Worth More Dead

lovely blonde. She had a new business that was taking off, a new Jaguar, a new house, and the world belonged to her. Sadly, there was one man to whom she was worth more dead if he couldn’t have her for himself.

Larry Sturholm, nearing 50, seemed like a friend to everyone in the Seattle area who watched his television news segments, “Larry at Large.” He had great talent as a writer, a commentator on the funny side of life, and as a performer/producer. In the summer of 1989, he made another kind of news, saddening thousands of people.

This is the house Debra Sweiger owned in the suburbs of Seattle, the scene of the double murders and an attempted suicide. Homicide investigators were shocked at the violence they found inside.

High-ranking Naval Reserve officer William Pawlyk, 48, had graduate degrees, the respect of the leaders in his city, and a successful career. But jealousy overrode everything else, and his rage destroyed three families.

Lee Yates, senior deputy King County prosecuting attorney, who, along with senior deputy Jeff Baird, prosecuted William Pawlyk in the shocking “overkill” murders of Debra Sweiger and Larry Sturholm. Yates had represented the State in dozens of major homicide trials, but this was one that vividly stood out in his memory.

The D’Autremont brothers made headlines all across America in the 1920s. Larry Sturholm wrote a memorable book about the train holdup that failed, and the tragedies that ensued. From top to bottom: Roy, Hugh, and Ray D’Autremont. ( From All for Nothing)

Larry Sturholm’s book, All for Nothing, recalled the daring and tragic robbery of a gold train. In 1923, Ray, shown here in the Washington State Reformatory at Monroe in his first prison sentence, lured his twin, Roy, and younger brother, Hugh, into the ill-fated plot. ( From All for Nothing)

While Ray had the mind for criminal plots, Roy went along with his identical twin brother. Their story fascinated Larry Sturholm, who wrote a very successful book about them. ( From All For Nothing)

A DESPERATE HOUSEWIFE

    The staff at Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter of Bellevue were friends as well as coworkers. They all liked Carolyn Durall and spoke of how considerate she was, the woman who was always smiling. In happier days, they posed together. Carolyn is on the far right, and Denise Jannusche is in the middle in the back row.

The Jannusches, Denise and Gary, and the Duralls, Carolyn and Bob, were friends for years, but the young wives became best friends. Denise was at the forefront of the massive search for Carolyn after she simply disappeared one morning.

John Henry Browne, one of Seattle’s most accomplished—and flamboyant—defense attorneys, represented Bob Durall initially. Early in his career, when he was a public defender, he also represented Ted Bundy.

Carolyn Durall loved to ice skate and to ride her horses. Here she’s on a skating outing with her children.

Carolyn at a party for her at Morgan Stanley, Dean Witter. She is pregnant in this picture taken not too long before her daughter was born.

MISSING PERSON
    Carolyn Durall
    Last seen the morning of August 7, 1998 leaving her home in Renton Highlands area. Driving a 1990 maroon colored, Ford Aerostar Van, License Plate #166 CWI
    Female, Caucasian, approximately 5′ 7″, 120 lbs. 35 years of age. Short, blond hair. Blue eyes.
    If you have any information or have seen Carolyn, please call (425) 455-8026.

    Carolyn Durall is pictured on the “missing” flyer that her friends distributed within forty-eight hours of her mysterious disappearance.

Several of Carolyn’s friends planted this flowering cherry tree in a park in the Renton Highlands neighborhood where she once lived. Linda Gunderson and Denise Jannusche are on the right.