Web site seeks to solve murder

The Daily Inter Lake

On Friday morning, the time counter on Holly Wilcock's Web site read "01 year, 146 days, 21 hours, 16 minutes, and 54 seconds."

That's how long it has been since her sister, Darlene Wilcock, 26, was found murdered in a Kalispell Motel 6 room.

Holly Wilcock and her friends launched the Web site to call attention to the crime and encourage anyone with information to contact police.

Darlene Wilcock was found naked and strangled in the motel room on April 17, 2003.

"Why she was in that motel room and what she was doing, we'll never know. Obviously it wasn't for drugs or alcohol," Holly Wilcock said, because toxicology reports showed that her sister had none in her system.

Kalispell police have some suspects in the case.

Police Chief Frank Garner said his department is actively investigating the murder and committed to finding the killer.

There was a recent twist in the case when it was revealed that DNA belonging to Kalispell businessman Dick Dasen Sr. was found on bedding in the motel room.

Garner said he doesn't know how long the bodily fluid had been there before Darlene Wilcock was killed and has made no connection between Dasen and the crime.

Dasen is accused of prostitution and reportedly used the motel frequently for trysts with women he hired.

Holly Wilcock said she does not want to interfere with the police investigation, but wants to do something to keep her sister's death on the minds of people who may have helpful information.

She opened the Web site at http://www.theplasticmanrocks.com/darlene.html last month.

It encourages anyone with information about Darlene Wilcock's death to contact Kalispell police or Crimestoppers.

The Web page says supporters also are trying to put together reward money of their own in the case.

Darlene was "an outstanding person. She had a heart of gold," her sister said.

She wants to find her killer.

Reporter Chery Sabol may be reached at 758-4441 or by e-mail at csabol@dailyinterlake.com