After evading law enforcement for decades, Sharon Kinne, identified as a serial killer wanted for murders committed during the late 1950s, has been confirmed to have lived incognito for almost 50 years in Canada. Kinne's life on the run came to light following investigative work by the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department (KCPD) and Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO), concluding the long-standing case of one of America’s longest outstanding felony warrants.
Kinne was initially accused of shooting her husband, James Kinne, allegedly as part of a tragic incident involving their two-year-old daughter back in March 1960. According to investigators, she claimed the child accidentally shot her husband, who was pronounced dead shortly thereafter. Despite her defense, the case soon escalated when Kinne was linked to the disappearance of Patricia Jones, with whom she had reportedly had an affair with the victim’s husband, Walter. Just two months following her husband’s death, Patricia was found murdered, with authorities suspecting Kinne.
Kinne faced trial for the murder of Jones and, after being acquitted, she was convicted of her husband’s murder and sentenced to life. The Missouri Supreme Court eventually overturned her conviction due to jury misconduct, allowing her to be released on bond. Her subsequent flight to Mexico City with another partner led to her later arrest for another murder, which was tied back to the case of Patricia Jones. Convicted of murder for the second time, Kinne spent time behind bars before staging her escape from the prison.
Following her escape, Kinne vanished from public sight until her alleged presence resurfaced through tips received by KCPD and JCSO. Investigators were led to believe she had been living under the alias Diedra Glabus in Taber, Alberta, Canada. Describing how she managed to go undetected, Sgt. Dustin Love from the JCSO expressed amazement at her ability to live such a normal life away from the consequences of her past actions.
Meanwhile, the KCPD and JCSO utilized advancements such as forensic genealogy and fingerprint analysis to confirm Kinne's identity as Diedra Glabus last May, precisely 64 years after her first arrest. The records indicated Glabus passed away from natural causes at the age of 81 in January 2022. Despite her death, Kinne's life story as one marked by manipulation and deceit continues to dismay those who were touched by her actions.
The long-standing interest surrounding Kinne and her crimes have invigorated various media narratives, inspiring podcasts, books, and multiple televised accounts, helping to keep her notoriety alive. Notably, the closure of Kinne’s case offers some semblance of peace for the victims' families and the community grappling with her horrific legacy.
“Sharon was a woman who never faced the consequences of her actions, leaving them for her children to deal with,” stated the family spokesperson, addressing the aftermath of her crimes. This sentiment resonates with many who feel the impact of Kinne’s choices permeated far beyond her personal life.
Reflecting on the investigations, the KCPD underscored the exceptional longevity of the case, with this resolution highlighting historical hurdles law enforcement agencies often face when pursuing long-term fugitives. The efforts to track Kinne down took years of persistence; as Kinne fled jurisdiction and lived another life, it became important for authorities to adapt their methods to match the severity of her crimes.
JSCO Sgt. Love shared, “I would love nothing more (than) to one day sit across the table from her, and I would like to pick her brain.” He emphasized the challenge investigators faced with finding Kinne during her active years as they pursued leads perpetually. Despite not being able to confront Kinne directly within her lifetime, her legacy serves to remind us of the ramifications of violence and evasion of justice.
Conclusion: the case of Sharon Kinne serves as both closure and cautionary tale of the lengths one can go to evade justice, the impacts of crime on families, and the consequences of living life on the run.