45 Years Ago, Gay Activist Anthony Adams Was Murdered. Utah Police Are Still Missing Evidence

Editor's Note: This story is part of our series, Unsolved, Retold: The LGBTQ+ Cold Case Files, which investigates unsolved murders of queer people across the U.S. Find out more about the series.On Nov. 30, 1978, gay rights activist Anthony Adams went missing. The 25-year-old was found murdered three days later in his Salt Lake City apartment.Adams’ case remains unsolved 45 years later, but there is information that could help police in Utah – if they could locate it. Adams was a prominent member of a Salt Lake City chapter of the Socialist Workers Party and had failed to appear for a rally, which prompted concern from fellow participants. Syd Stapleton, a member of the SWP’s New York chapter, in 1978 called Adams’ killing an “assassination” and claimed he was murdered for his sexuality and politics. Adams was found stabbed to death in his apartment by two friends who’d grown concerned that he’d been missing for several days. Cash was missing from his wallet, but whether that indicated...