Murdered police chief's wife 'relieved' suspect lived in 'pain and agony'

DARTMOUTH, Mass. — A fugitive wanted in the 1980 murder of a Pennsylvania police chief evaded capture for his entire life and as the web of lives woven by his widow was uncovered this week, the slain chief’s wife is finally getting answers.

On Boston 25 News at 6 - see the New Bedford home Webb was hidden inside for more than a decade

Last week, the body of Donald Eugene Webb was found buried behind his wife's home in Dartmouth. Police say the widow hid Webb – the prime suspect in the murder of Saxonburg Police Chief Greg Adams -- from the world for most of that time

MORE: How a suspected police chief murderer avoided capture for 37 years 

When he died in 1999, police say she buried him in the backyard in a large plastic container.

“I hope she gets her reward,” the police chief’s widow, Marry Ann Jones, told Boston 25 News. “She knew we were in pain for 37 years.”

SEE THE DOCUMENTS: That detail the investigation, from beginning to end

Federal and state investigators searched for Webb for 37 years, until a search warrant was executed on his Lillian Webb’s Dartmouth home last week and his remains were discovered in the backyard.

In November 2016, the FBI found a hidden room in the basement of the home about the size of a shower, which could only be opened from the outside.

“She did that to us and she doesn’t care,” Jones said. “She only thought of herself.”

According to court documents obtained by Boston 25, Lillian Webb used the secret room to hide Donald in the event of searches or parties.

Before moving to Dartmouth, Lillian lived in a New Bedford from from 1980 to 1997. Webb was also hidden in that home, in another secret room.

The court documents outline the confrontation between Webb and Adams. Investigators say they followed a blood trail left by Webb after he killed Adams because he didn’t want to go back to jail and was obviously wounded.

Police say he was in the hospital for four weeks after the murder.

“I am relieved to know my husband fought and that Donald Webb was in pain and agony for the rest of his life,” said Jones.

FBI investigators say Webb suffered health problems and died after a stroke at Lillian Webb’s home. Police say before he died, he told her to bury him in the yard.

Cox Media Group