Glenna SOWAN – Case Overview

Just after noon on September 30, 1988, Glenna Marie Sowan’s naked body was found by a neighbour in the tall weeds and brush overgrowth near West 24th and Willow Street. She was only 25 years old.

There was a ligature marking across her neck and numerous other marks on her body, including injuries to both of her cheeks that showed the use of blunt force. An autopsy later determined that Glenna had died at approximately 4:30 that morning.

Glenna was last seen the day before by her boyfriend, between 1:00 and 5:00 p.m., inside an apartment near East 6th Avenue and St. George Street. She was a sex worker, and during her young life, she had struggled with drug addiction to heroin and cocaine. She had suffered the loss of her close friend, Lisa Gavin, who was murdered just one month earlier.

Glenna, also known as Dusty, was an Indigenous woman, and weighed only 92 pounds. She was 5’2″ tall and had shoulder-length black hair. Her clothing from that night was never located.

Despite investigators’ best efforts, there has been no justice for Glenna. For over 30 years, someone has evaded arrest for her murder. Help us catch a killer.

This is an ongoing file. Please check back regularly for updates.