Elizabeth Pane interview

Sunday, April 24, 2022 – 2:37 p.m.

Elizabeth Pane is the victim's mother. She still lives in Pennsylvania, where Wendy grew up.

Detective Armstrong interviewed her at White Memorial Chapel in Pittsburgh.

Participants:

• Detective T. Armstrong
• Elizabeth Pane

Detective Armstrong: Thank you for speaking with me during this difficult time, ma'am.

Elizabeth Pane: I want to help.

Detective Armstrong: I understand. Okay. For the record, would you state your name and address?

Elizabeth Pane: Elizabeth Austin Pane, 3108 Chartiers Ave, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

Detective Armstrong: Thank you. Now, Mrs. Pane, were you aware that your daughter, Wendy Pane Holloway, had moved to Oxford, Mississippi?

Elizabeth Pane: Yes, after her vacation, she stopped over in Pittsburgh to stay with me for a few days. She told me her plans then.

Detective Armstrong: Did she tell you why she had decided to relocate?

Elizabeth Pane: She said that she was going to help that writer with the research on his novel.

Detective Armstrong: Do you know the writer's name?

Elizabeth Pane: Blake Stillwater.

Detective Armstrong: Did your daughter have any other reasons for wanting to relocate?

Elizabeth Pane: Well… I'm not altogether sure what you mean by "relocate." I didn't think she was moving there permanently. I thought it was only for a few months.

Detective Armstrong: So, she planned to return to Seattle?

Elizabeth Pane: I thought she did, though she never said that.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. Were there any other reasons for her to move to Oxford, just the same?

Elizabeth Pane: Well, you may not know this, but her brother, Peter, now lives in Memphis. They recently renewed their relationship. I believe she liked the idea that she was near him, too.

Detective Armstrong: Renewed their relationship? Were there problems in the past?

Elizabeth Pane: I suppose. Really, I think it was just the usual sibling rivalry that psychiatrists speak of. You see, my husband and I divorced when they were young. It was a difficult separation, and it was very hard on both of them. I think, looking back, that they focused their distress over our broken marriage on one another in the form of competitiveness. Does that make any sense?

Detective Armstrong: Sure. I have kids. I know what you're talking about. So, there was no real animosity between them in recent years?

Elizabeth Pane: Well, I wouldn't say that. Peter's father died about three years ago. Peter was very upset with the both of us, really, because we opted not to attend the funeral.

Detective Armstrong: Oh?

Elizabeth Pane: Yes, well, as I said, it was a difficult divorce, and I simply couldn't bear to revisit those memories myself. Wendy and her father never got on well, so I think she felt the same way. Unfortunately, Peter took it personally, as if we were slighting him, not his father. I'm not sure he ever quite understood that it had nothing to do with him. He was always very sensitive where his father was concerned. I guess boys never do get over their first hero, do they?

Detective Armstrong: Well, I have to admit, I still think Captain Kangaroo was a heck of a guy.

Elizabeth Pane: Yes. Well, Peter was quite upset by that, but I believe he had many things happening in his life then that were weighing on him. He'd recently divorced, lost a job… you know, following in his father's footsteps. Too much liquor.

Detective Armstrong: How is he doing now?

Elizabeth Pane: Wonderfully. I must say I am proud and amazed at how he has turned his life around. So was Wendy, I can tell you that. She was finally proud of her big brother.

Detective Armstrong: Tell me about your daughter. Do you know of anything that might make someone want to harm her?

Elizabeth Pane: Well, she was very strong-minded and very competitive in the workplace. But then, we women really do have to be. I know there were those who were jealous of her accomplishments, but if you mean was there any particular incident that I know of that could have generated such resentment, then I'd have to say no.

Detective Armstrong: What about jealous boyfriends? Any of those?

Elizabeth Pane: None that I know of. She never stayed with anyone too long. Her ex-husband was somewhat jealous, but he's involved with someone else and has a new daughter. I'm sure that it's water under the bridge for him by now.

Detective Armstrong: Do you know the nature of her relationship with Blake Stillwater?

Elizabeth Pane: I know she was infatuated with him.

Detective Armstrong: Romantically?

Elizabeth Pane: Well, I don't know about that. She didn't tell, and I didn't ask. I suppose it could just have been that he was famous and talented and he was paying attention to her. You know how dashing older men can be to us girls, now don't you?

Detective Armstrong: I'll have to take your word for that, ma'am. Do you know if she used drugs of any kind? Recreational or for medical purposes?

Elizabeth Pane: I don't believe so. Perhaps an occasional aspirin or maybe a sleeping pill. Wendy was very health-oriented. I can't imagine her turning to drugs.

Detective Armstrong: Okay. Is there anything else you can tell me about your daughter that might help us find who did this to her?

Elizabeth Pane: I wish I could. She was my pride and joy. I'm just not sure what I'll do without her.

Detective Armstrong: Well, okay. Thank you again, ma'am. If there's anything we can do for you, don't hesitate to give us a call.

Elizabeth Pane: Please just find out who did this to my daughter.

Detective Armstrong: We'll do everything we can. If we have any more questions, my office will contact you.

Elizabeth Pane: Of course.

Interview ended – 2:51 p.m.