Fifty-five years after she vanished from the eyes of the law, notorious fugitive Sharon Kinne's tale has reached its final chapter, still captivating those aware of her deadly past.
Kinne, once dubbed the "Pistol Packin' Mama," linked to three murders across two countries, was living under the alias Diedra Glabus for nearly five decades, all the way up to her death at age 81, which occurred in 2022. The mysteries surrounding her life during those years seem to have found resolution with the announcement recently made by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office confirming her identity after receiving an anonymous tip from Alberta, Canada, which led to discoveries about her time as Glabus.
The 1960s marked the onset of Kinne's criminal saga beginning with the murder of her first husband, James Kinne, who was found dead from gunshot wounds under suspicious circumstances. Initially, Kinne deflected blame onto her young daughter, claiming accidental death due to gunplay. An investigation soon revealed greater intricacies, with Kinne collecting insurance payouts shortly after his death, using those funds to purchase luxuries and begin new romantic escapades.
Months later, Patricia Jones, the wife of Kinne's lover Walter Jones, was murdered, with suspicion quickly falling onto Kinne. Though acquitted of Patricia’s murder by jurors, the investigation didn’t end there. A subsequent trial led to Kinne’s conviction for her husband's murder, but this conviction was overturned, resulting in multiple trials marked by mistrials and hung juries.
Kinne’s troubles culminated when she fled to Mexico City, where her deadly encounters continued. Within days of her arrival, she shot Francisco Paredes Ordoñez during what she described as self-defense as they interacted at bar. This marked her first conviction of the three murders alleged against her, resulting in this time, imprisonment.
Tragically for the Mexican authorities, Kinne managed to escape from her prison cell just four years later on December 7, 1969, and the trail went cold. For over half a century, the enigmatic nature of her life as Kinne became the subject of speculation and numerous rumors, with no leads on her whereabouts.
News came full circle on January 30, 2025, when Jackson County authorities shared insights concerning Kinne’s disguised existence as Glabus, living quietly on the Canadian prairie, unaware of the broad-reaching historical significance of her actions. It was only after her passing did authorities connect her true identity through post-mortem fingerprints, which confirmed her life as Glabus.
Speaking at the press conference, Jackson County Sheriff’s officials expressed their relief at solving the case. Sgt. Dustin Love remarked, "She was really good at what she did. She hid really well," underlining the challenge her presence posed for investigators.
Ryan St. Louis, grandson of the late Colonel William Morton who pursued Kinne during her initial crimes, reflected on the audacity of her escapes by stating: "For somebody to be able to escape basically prison here, then escape prison in Mexico and be able to live a full life, I don't know if that's ever happened anywhere." His account signals the bafflement and intrigue her life story imparted on those tracking her.
With the case now officially closed following the identification of Kinne's alias, insights from her surviving family portray mixed feelings. “Sharon never faced consequences for her actions,” they expressed, reflecting on the burden carried throughout generations.
This chapter may be closed, but the story of Sharon Kinne remains etched as vivid and chilling memory within law enforcement and true-crime aficionados alike. Despite the passage of time, her life as Diedra Glabus could not overshadow her infamous past, which spanned violence and subterfuge, eliciting both sympathy and revulsion.
While some may seek the victim’s stories, others can't help but inquire about Kinne, whose legacy remains as dark as it is compelling. Despite time’s relentless march, Kinne's legacy is sure not to fade, inviting reflections on one of the most puzzling criminal enigmas of our era.