1960's Soul Singer Killer Has Not Been Prosecuted | Justice For Betty Jane Willis w/ Joseph Fenity

On New Year’s Day 2018, local media reported that an elderly homeless woman was murdered in Santa Ana, California. But just like every other “homeless” brother or sister in our world, there’s always so much more to the story. The woman, identified as 76-year-old Betty Jane Willis, was a mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and—as true crime internet sleuths eventually discovered—Betty Willis was also a former recording artist. Betty had been a soul singer in the early and mid-1960s.

By the time of her brutal death in 2018, it was clear that many things in the 76-year-old’s life could have—and should have—gone better. By the early 2000s, the ex-soul singer turned Postal Service clerk was now living on the streets. It was those same Southern California streets where her alleged killer would come for her on a cold and dark January night. All of the available evidence makes the killing of Betty Willis seem like an easy “open-and-shut” kind of “slam dunk” case. Most would agree the young man allegedly caught raping and murdering Betty should be prosecuted and locked away for the rest of his life. So why hasn't he been?

To help answer those questions, we turn to award-winning Los Angeles-based journalist, Joseph Fenity. The investigative reporter has published “Killing Betty Willis,” an exhaustive and comprehensive L.A. Magazine piece about the life, soul and untimely death of Betty Jane Willis.

Hear Betty’s story, listen to her voice and reach out to the Orange County, California’s District Attorney’s Office: demand some R-E-S-P-E-C-T for soul diva and great grandmother, Ms. Betty Jane Willis.

Hear many of songs Betty Willis recorded throughout her music career, thanks to a YouTube playlist journalist Joseph Fenity curated:

Ready to speak up for Betty? Here are some ways you can:

• Post a message of support using the #JusticeForBetty hashtag across all of your social media accounts

• Make a call to the Orange County DA’s office: 714-834-3952

• Send an email to the Orange County DA's office:

• Join the #JusticeForBetty Facebook group:

Independent reporter Joseph Fenity is committed to following Betty Willis’ road to justice until the very end. Follow his social accounts so you too can stay up-to-date on Betty’s still-unfolding case. If you wish to contact Fenity directly, you may visit his official website: