Forensic Files returns to Rockford
By Corina Curry
Rockford Register Star (IL)
October 19, 2006
ROCKFORD — A film crew is in Rockford for the second time this year to showcase a local murder investigation for the Court TV documentary series, “Forensic Files.”
This time the crew is focusing on the 2001 Barbara Lorrie Purcell murder case, in which Purcell’s husband, Willard Purcell, was tried and convicted of first-degree murder.
The crew, led by producer Mike Joseloff, arrived Saturday and worked locally through Wednesday, and will return one day next week to capture images and conduct interviews with key players in the case.
Those interviewed include Deputy State’s Attorney Margie O’Connor, who prosecuted the case, Winnebago County Sheriff’s Lt. Rocco Wagner, bloodstain analyst Rockford police Sgt. Jeff Houde, Winnebago County Coroner Sue Fiduccia, and Illinois State Crime Lab scientists, among others.
They also filmed at the Safford Road home, where the Purcells lived; Grandma’s Stand on Auburn Street, where Willard Purcell was seen on the day of Barbara Purcell’s death; and the Rockford Clinic where Barbara Purcell, 42, worked as an occupational therapist.
Police found Barbara Purcell’s body at the bottom of a flight of stairs in the home she shared with Willard Purcell.
A jury convicted Willard Purcell of murdering his wife after prosecutors presented the case that Barbara did not die from a fall, but rather was beaten to death with a flashlight at the top of the stairs.
Joseloff called the case compelling because of the multiple aspects of forensic science that were applied during the investigation.
“Essentially in this case, the forensic science helped prove that this death was not an accident and that the killer was in the house at the time of her death,” Joseloff said.
“The blows to her head, the teeth marks on her hand — they put the husband at the scene. ... This case is an example of good detective work and forensic science and how they go hand-in-hand.”
Both of Willard Purcell’s wives were discovered dead at the bottom of staircases.
Crystal was found in 1987 in the couple’s Rockford Avenue home and Barbara in June 2001.
Crystal’s death was ruled an accident.
A show featuring the 2001 murder of Rockford police Detective Kevin Rice, which was filmed in Rockford earlier this year, aired Oct. 4 on Court TV, cable Channel 55.
The show about the Barbara Purcell murder is scheduled to air this spring.
Staff writer Corina Curry can be reached at 815-987-1395 or ccurry@rrstar.com.