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SOUTH SALT LAKE -- The mother-in-law of Greg Miller, of the Larry H. Miller Group of Companies, was found dead with "obvious" stab wounds at a South Salt Lake business she owns with her husband Tuesday afternoon.
"It was an obvious stabbing and she is deceased," said South Salt Lake police Sgt. Gary Keller.
Keller said 64-year-old Sherry Black's husband Earl went into the couple's B & W Billiards and Books at 3466 S. 700 East about 1:43 p.m. and found her body.
"The husband discovered her," said Keller. "It's a residence with a business next door, and he walked into the business and discovered her body."
My wife, Heidi, and I ask that you please keep our father, Earl, as well as the entire Black family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
–Greg Miller
Detectives with the South Salt Lake Police Department combed the home-based business for clues, but are releasing very little information.
"The evidence is going to be paramount in this case, so we want to proceed cautiously," Keller said.
Miller and his wife were at the scene Tuesday afternoon. In a statement, Miller said, "Today, our family suffered an unimaginable loss. My mother-in-law, Sherry Black, was taken from us in a senseless act of violence."
He continued, "My wife, Heidi, and I ask that you please keep our father, Earl, as well as the entire Black family in your thoughts and prayers during this extremely difficult time.
Neighbors were shaken by the news of the crime. Mary Wade described Sherry Black as a quiet book lover, and wonders why anyone would want to harm her.
"The evidence is going to be paramount in this case, so we want to proceed cautiously." Sgt. Gary Keller
"She's friendly, but she's quiet," Wade said. "She's less outgoing then he was, but I guess that makes sense because she deals in books. Their house is always quiet. They seemed to be liked by everybody."
Wade says she recently told Earl Black he was the best neighbor a person could ask for.
B & W Billiards and Books specializes in rare and historic books, some LDS oriented. Neighbors say Sherry ran the book portion of the store and Earl made custom knives and billiard tables.
Fellow booksellers in the area say Black is well known and respected. More than one say murder, or even attempted robbery, would be "surprising" in that business. Police won't discuss any motive.
"The investigation is in the beginning stages," Keller said. "I expect our people will be out here most of the night, if not all the night."
It was not immediately known if the business was open or if anyone else was present at the time of the stabbing.
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Story compiled with contributions from Pat Reavy, Richard Piatt, John Hollenhorst and Paul Nelson.
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