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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Murder Case’s Airing Draws Tips Two Promising Calls On Vern Henry’s Whereabouts Don’t Check Out

Although “America’s Most Wanted” hasn’t led to the arrest of Kootenai County’s No. 1 suspected criminal, it has brought in several tips about where he may be hiding.

Kootenai County sheriff’s investigators believe Vern Henry, 44, of Athol, Idaho, gunned down his wife and 18-year-old daughter at their family home in August. He has been missing since.

Saturday, the true-crime TV program “America’s Most Wanted” aired a segment about the murders of Connie and Heather Henry. The show, broadcast throughout the United States and in other countries, asked people to call if they have information about where Henry may be hiding.

The program’s producers flew sheriff’s detective Jerry Wiedenhoff to Washington, D.C., to take those calls.

The show received about 30 phone calls from people who thought they had seen Henry in Tennessee, New Jersey, New York, California, Texas and many other states, Wiedenhoff said.

Several people said they’d seen Henry in upholstery shops. Henry used to work as an upholsterer in North Idaho. Others said they’d seen him in bars and even a pet shop.

Sheriff’s officials traced two of the most promising tips - in Florida and Ontario - with the help of the FBI and other police agencies. However, neither of the people tracked down turned out to be Henry, Wiedenhoff said.

“The one in Ontario, they said he looked just about identical to him,” Wiedenhoff said. “At least people are out looking because somebody could still see him.”

Sheriff’s officials believe Henry shot his wife and daughter after the teenager went on a date without her father’s consent. Henry’s three younger children were home when he allegedly shot the two women.

Henry is wanted on two counts of first-degree murder.

“America’s Most Wanted” has led to the capture of more than 400 fugitives.

, DataTimes MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: ON-LINE People can look up the Henry case on the “America’s Most Wanted” home page on the Internet at www.amw.com.

This sidebar appeared with the story: ON-LINE People can look up the Henry case on the “America’s Most Wanted” home page on the Internet at www.amw.com.