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A fender bender turns deadly when one of the drivers shoots and kills the other.
CASE DETAILS The Hurleys — Pam and David and their sons — shared a normal and happy life in Turtle Creek, PA, until June 13, 1992. David and his brother were going to take a Boy Scout troop on a canoe trip. Unable to sleep the night before, David decided to go get a donut then stop by his brother’s house. He left home at 1:30 AM.  Why did the man shoot David? About an hour and a half later, Pam was surprised to hear her husband calling out from the first floor. According to Pam, he said he had been shot:
While they waited for paramedics to arrive, David told his wife about the random attack.
 Paramedics worked on David’s gunshot wounds Police and paramedics arrived at around 3:30 AM, and David told his story again to Officer Michael Pruey of the Turtle Creek Borough Police:
David was rushed by helicopter to a hospital in Pittsburgh, six miles away. At 4:30 AM, he was wheeled into emergency surgery. Two hours later doctors emerged from the operating room with news for Pam:
David had gunshot wounds in the arm and shoulder and he was bleeding internally from a lacerated liver. The operation had gone well, they told Pam, until David suddenly went into cardiac arrest.
In searching for David’s killer, Detective Robert Lazzaro of the Allegheny County Police said they have very limited information to go on:
Pam Hurley:
Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season five with Robert Stack and in season four with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
43 Comments
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Doug
I came across this video while watching tiktok and searched for the update. So the gun used in the murder was found linked to another murder.
A few questions, if the guy got into the accident did the police find any paint from other persons car on his car? Did the police run a registration check for all same cars to narrow down a list?
Seems like some detective work could be down to narrow down a set of suspects.
Dani W
I’ve ran into the daughter in the comments section on a toktok about David Hurley. So I’ve been watching and reading since then! I will say this about him driving home and not to the hospital. It says at 6:15 am he was at a hospital in Oakland(Pittsburgh) I think his house was closer to Rt.22 then the hospital is maybe why he went there 1st, Mayb he could t have made it that far or something. Just thought I’d put my thoughts out there in that. I hope they find the person who did this!
Ernest
I saw the show along time ago and still I have no clue but we do have some clues the champagne color prelude I am taking Connie’s advice and look up to see who drives that kind of car so I will see I Pray for the Hurley Family to find peace and justice
Ernest
Connie My Name is Ernest Holton Jr I Watch the Show myself I got the name of the car if you can give me the description of the man that killed David Hurley we have our man and where the Champagne Color Perdue 1989-90 Came From Which Car Dealer Sale That kind Of Car We Have Our Man Plus We Need The Person That Can Point Out The Person That did it you can contact me on Facebook I have a Facebook Account and you can email me at eholtonjr@yahoo.com let’s get this guy that took the life of David Hurley and bring him to justice Facebook/eholtonjr@yahoo.com
Ali Houssney
He was a young black male, in his mid-to-late 20s back in 1992, was wearing a black shirt.
Nathan
I’m now positively convinced on 2 things regarding this case. First, that the shooter’s vehicle was a 1990 Honda Prelude Si. Second, while David himself said that the car was gold or champagne colored, I suspect that the car may have actually been white mainly for two reasons, the first being that not many 1990 Honda Prelude Si cars are made in gold or champagne, and the second being the crime scene. While watching the re-enactment, it occurred to me that the car could have very much been white, I learned that sometimes colors on cars can appear differently at night based on the amount of lighting.
Ali Houssney
What I do not understand is how this guy has never been caught. We just passed the 30 year anniversary of the murder. I wonder where the heck he can be if he is still alive, which I tend to think he is because he looked very young at the time he killed David. This case bothers me every day even though I have never met the Hurley’s.
Sean
Dear KO’d,
I am one of David’s sons, and I’m sorry for what you say he did to you during and after your marriage. I don’t doubt it one bit, but I do hope you can forgive him. As far as I can remember he was a great dad and I always knew he loved me. When he died I was destroyed, and only by the grace of God did I survive long enough afterwards to come to know and be saved by Jesus Christ. He really is the way, the truth, and the life. He really is the only way to heaven. It’s because of Jesus that I was able to forgive the man who killed my dad, and Jesus will help you forgive my dad. I’m sorry for how he treated you. I love you and your daughter (my sister), and I pray above all else that if you don’t already know and love the Lord, that you do come to know him. He will save you and heal whatever wounds exists in your heart. Take care,
Sean
Ali Houssney
Praise God for your salvation! Did they ever end up catching this coward murderer? I have never met your family but David’s murder hurts me a lot. I have seen it on Unsolved Mysteries many times and it has been almost 30 years. I wonder how on Earth could this man have gotten away for that long considering all the advancements in science and technology.
Gabrielle McGraw
Hey Sean, I just saw your father’s story on UM. I’m sorry you lost your dad at such a young age. I wanted to ask a question. The D. C. Sniper, John Allen Muhammad was in the military stationed in California in 1992, if I’m correct. He would have been in his 20’s. My question is, has anyone looked into his whereabouts on 06/13/92, what type of vehicle he drove, etc. Although he is gone, it would help to know?! He was an angry individual, so it seems plausible, and his actions needed no warrant.
K. O'D
The news made him out to be some loving husband & father. Hey, maybe he was this time, but he wasn’t with me & my daughter. I think it was drug related, most definitely. He did a lot of different things when we were married, drug wise. While we were married and after the divorce he continued to abuse me. He blew his paychecks on drugs, & poker. He cheated on me. He was abusive physically & mentally. If he came home & there were friends who were visiting, as soon as they left, lookout. He wouldn’t let me renew my drivers license, b/c he didn’t want me to be able to go anywhere. When my daughter was born he was physically removed from the hospital by security, for flipping out on me for spelling my daughter’s name Nicole & not Nichole like his mother spelled it. When my daughter was baptized, he took all her money, went to a dive bar in Penn hills blew all the money was so drunk got into a fight, had the shit beat out of him & was arrested. He was definitely no saint. I don’t wish death on anyone, but it is what it is. He put on an act when it was called for & after that I prayed he didn’t try to hurt me or my daughter.
Mario
You should be ashamed of yourself. You got alot of nerves bashing someone that is no longer here to defend himself, and for that you should feel horrible. That’s your “story” and this is not the platform for comments like this. Praying for justice for
Nathan
I’ve looked at pictures of cars similar to the one shown in the photograph. I’m convinced the vehicle was 1990 Honda Prelude, because several of these cars I saw in pictures matched the picture perfectly. Hope this helps in a sort of way.
Jason
Idk. A champange colored Prelude from the late 80s, early 90s. Must be a MILLION of them if not more.
I notice a lot of comments about drugs. Did he have a history of drug use? Was it some dude with a record that was afraid to go to jail? This is one of those cases we don’t get enough info to do much. A LOT of these Unsolved Mysteries murders WERE over drugs, looking back. But, idk. I hope his family finds peace and justice.
Lwebb08
Also another article says: Results: Unresolved. In 1995, police got a break when a crime lab determined a gun involved in another case matched the one used in the murder. Because it had changed hands since then, that investigation led nowhere. Authorities stated that they have a suspect in the case that they believe is responsible; however, they do not have enough evidence to charge him. They reportedly need a unidentified woman who may have information in the case to come forward. Officially, David’s murder remains unsolved.
Lwebb
Could it have actually been the wife and they made up a cover story? Wouldn’t be the first time. Could it have been the brother and THEY made up a cover story? Hunting=guns I like the drug angle all I can say is I would bet a lot of money what he said happened isn’t what happened.
Elroy
I was his best friend.. It is what it is..He was going to his brothers ,to leave woth his brother. To go camping early that morning.. It was not drug related..
Ali Houssney
But it is so ironic how this evil man has never been caught. I wonder how someone could live with himself for over 30 years knowing that they killed someone.
David Melton
Does anyone really have evidence David Hurley was lying about what really happened? People need to get the facts instead of making assumptions. The killer needs to be caught regardless and if anyone has information big or small, please go to the police. I know what it’s like to lose a loved one and it hurts to lose someone from natural causes much less imagine how it must feel to lose a loved one to murder.
Ali Houssney
I fully agree. Even though I do not have any connection to the Hurley family, I think about this case almost every day. It troubles me so much not knowing where this killer is today and how could he have gotten away for 30 years, considering all the advancements in science and DNA. Smh. This coward can be someone’s next door neighbor without them knowing that he is a cold-blooded animal. He NEEDS to be caught if he is still alive and he needs to be exposed.
thinkingoutloud
definitely more to this story. He told his wife he was going to get a donut at 1Am and then stop by his brother’s place even though they were going on a trip the next day? i think it was drug related or he was seeing a mistress. is there any proof of this car accident? is there any damage done to his car? did the police ever check out the location where this accident happened? can anyone at the donut shop confirm he was even there? seems like he had plans to take care of something and it backfired in which he got hurt. and why travel all the way back home to be taken to the hospital? why not go somewhere nearby and ask for help. a lot of missing info here.
DragonWolfe
I was thinking something similar. I lived in suburban Philadelphia at the time and didn’t know of any donut shops open at 1:30am. most dunkin donuts didn’t open till 5am. Was his brother aware he was coming over at that time? What i have a difficult time with is the lacerated liver, that doesn’t happen unless you are hit with enough force, such as in an accident, being punched repeatedly or even kicked. also driving home instead of to a hospital, makes no sense at all.
chanita jackson
any updates on this case
Wayne Hart
I wasn’t thinking drugs. I was thinking he went to meet his girlfriend and her husband shot him.
Beccaboo
I really think there was more to this story. In my personal opinion I think it was drug related. If you can’t sleep then why go out and get donuts at that time of night?! Each to their own I guess but why not stay at home and drink warm milk etc etc. Who else is going to be out that late as well?! I suppose it could be extremely bad luck but I just can’t see that happening on the night you can’t sleep and drive out….
Carmen Houssney
I watched this story on Unsolved Mysteries many times. The young African American man who committed this crime has to be one of the stupidest people on the face of the planet. He was the one who hit David’s van first and then he gets out and murders him? This guy needs to be given the death penalty as soon as he is apprehended. One of the stupidest things is when someone is responsible for a wrongdoing and they refuse to be confronted about it. This guy is just a plain dumb, heartless, coward and I pray for justice to be provided for David’s family, especially his children who never got to grow up with their dad.
My thoughts
Whether or not drugs were involved doesn’t matter. No one has the right to take a life. Race shouldn’t even be brought into the mix, if the tables were turned would it have ever been mentioned? I pray for his family and for swift justice for him and his family.
Tammy Thomas
We’re there donuts in the victim’s car? Was his car damaged in a way that would confirm his story of being sideswiped?
YT
ALL I HAVE 2 SAY IS NO 1 HAS THE RIGHT 2 TAKE ANY1S LIFE JEHOVAH GOD KNOWS EVERYTHING N WHO U R U CANT RUN N HIDE FROM HIM N HIS JUSTICE ROMANS 12:19 VENGEANCE IS HIS N HE WILL REPAY
Caitie
Someone knows who the killer is,I think someone would’ve noticed something, the whole thing just seems strange.
Ali Houssney
I agree, I just do not understand how this guy could get away with the murder for that long. The 30 year anniversary is coming up soon. We have had so much advancements in science and technology.
Connie
I am a psychic who has successfully worked with the police before. I was watching this show this Saturday A M. While I watched the man get out of the car before he shot David, my “immediate feeling” was that the man was a felon, who did not want the police called because he was afraid of going back to jail. Follow the lead of the car he was driving. Check for former felons who was driving that kind of car at that time.
Ernest
The car I have but I need a description of the person the description of the person that killed David Hurley So We Can Get Justice For the Hurley Family and get this person off the streets
Ali Houssney
He was a young black man in his mid-to-late 20s in 1992 and was wearing a black shirt. His also was average height and average weight.
stevo
Why wouldn’t you just go right to the emergancy room ? not making any sense.
sam
Wow you must be very ignorant george, but when police arrive at the scene of a near fatal shooting, the first thing they should do is check the victim, the fact that he had been shot but stable enough to tell them his version perhaps they believed his story, just because someones white doesnt mean theyre racist
JML81
For those thinking there’s something more: there’s absolutely no evidence of that. The story as told isn’t strange in the slightest from a camping pov. If he and his brother were taking a troupe camping, it stands very much to reason that this trip would begin very early. A lot of people when going camping begin the trip very early in the morning. So he was up at 1 and wanted to go hang with his brother for the next couple hours till they were ready to pick up the kids and begin the trip. I find absolutely nothing strange about that.
Curious George
I don’t suppose the police were smart enough to verify damage to the victim’s vehicle or whether he stopped at the donut shop. I doubt a drug deal even crossed the mind of police investigators because when they heard the alleged perpetrator was a young black male they were anxious to hunt him down and violently violate his civil rights. Racist Pennsylvania Police!
Tammy Thomas
Thank you for your responses. That is what I thought of also. I mean if your going on a camping trip with kids the next day, why would you be out in the middle of the night?
hmmm
Drug deal gone bad????? Hmmmm
Tammy Thomas
I’ve always been suspicious about this story. Anyone else think there might be more to the story?
Kathy
Yeah I’m a little suspicious as well. I was married to David in 1979, had a daughter with him. He wasn’t the saint he was made out to be.eWfie
DragonWolfe
Sometimes shows make the victim look that way so people will be sympathetic. You say he wasn’t a saint, was he a cheater, drug user an abusive man?? From your experience with him what would you say he went out that late for?