Military murder is an independent project and is not endorsed by the Department of Defense or any military component.

The views expressed are those of the host. The content of this podcast is not meant to be legal or medical advice.

Warning, this episode contains graphic details of murder and is not suitable for young listeners.

Welcome back, Trocrime Army. I am your host Margot and this is Military Murder, a show where I focus on crimes committed by military members and veterans.

But don't worry, you don't have to know anything about the military to listen, I promise.

You just have to be a Trocrime enthusiast and if that's you, welcome home.

Today I'm bringing you a case that started with the tragic death of an ex-military spouse back in 1993.

But while initially thought to be an open and shut case, it turned out it was anything but...

This is a real who done it, head scratcher that will leave you wondering if your very own neighbor is the culprit.

Shout out to one of my listeners, Mara, who was all over this case when an update broke this case wide open.

Join me today as I tell you the story of Penny Williams. Now, let's dig in.

Our story opens in the summer of 1993, but before I begin, I must explain to you a very messy relationship.

If this was happening today, it would probably be a topic of discussion for messy talk, which apparently is like the Jersey Shore version of TikTok.

But anyway, I digress.

Well, in the summer of 93, 29-year-old Navy Chief Petty Officer Herman Williams was assigned to the Great Lakes Naval Base in Lake County, Illinois.

Herman had already served 10 years in the Navy. He had reached the hump in every military career.

He had two tours in the Gulf War under his belt. He was working on his second marriage while still thinking about his first failed marriage.

Herman was married to a woman named Catherine who went by Kitty. Together, they lived at 765 Depot Road in Gurney, Illinois.

Gurney is a small town located roughly 7 miles from the military base. So Herman's commute was short.

Kitty and Herman hadn't been married very long. Heck, his first marriage had only been finalized a year and a half earlier.

Herman's first wife Penny and their two kids, ages 6 and 3, they had moved to Arizona after the divorce in 1991.

Herman and Penny, both from Arizona, had married back in 1985, but they divorced in 91 or 92, citing irreconcilable differences.

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