CCHM Speaker Series: The M**der of JoAnn Dewey, presented by Pat Jolotta

Before midnight on March 19, 1950, startled bystanders outside Saint Joseph’s Hospital in Vancouver, Washington, witnessed a horrifying scene: two men forcing a screaming young woman into a car. That woman, JoAnn Dewey, was never seen alive again.

Dewey had recently moved to Portland to work and share an apartment with a friend. On this fateful night, she missed her bus home and walked to the hospital, planning to spend the night with another friend. By the next morning, a massive search for her was underway.

The case culminated in the longest trial in Clark County history at the time and ended with a death sentence for the Wilson brothers. Yet the story did not end there—appeals, escapes, and shocking courtroom testimony kept the case in the headlines until their execution in 1953.

Local historian and author Pat Jollota will lead us through the twists, turns, and dark truths of this remarkable case, shedding new light on one of the region’s most disturbing chapters.

Please Note: Due to ongoing upgrades to the Clark County Historical Museum’s roof, this month’s Speaker Series will be hosted at the Historic Covington House. Seating is extremely limited. Registration is required. This event is free and open to the public.

Pat Jollota is a beloved historian, author, and former Vancouver City Council member whose work has shaped how Clark County remembers its past. Over two decades on the council, she championed historic preservation and community initiatives, including helping establish the Arthur D. Curtis Children’s Justice Center. As curator of the Clark County Historical Museum, she inspired countless residents with her deep love of local history. Jollota is the author of numerous books, including Naming Clark County, The M**der of JoAnn Dewey in Vancouver, Washington, and Haunted Vancouver. Recognized as Clark County’s First Citizen in 2012, she continues to be celebrated for preserving the stories that define our community.

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