PIKESVILLE, Md. — Investigators from the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit are asking for the public's help to close unsolved cases in the state. They are trying to learn if any open cases may be connected to a convicted murderer charged in a 2006 Frederick County homicide. Garry Artman died in a Michigan prison last month.
Maryland State Police charged Artman, 66, of White Springs, Florida in the murder of Dusty Shuck in 2022. The 24-year-old woman's body was found near a rest stop in Frederick County in 2006.
Shuck was last seen in New Mexico on April 24, 2006 at a local hotel. Days later she was found wearing a tank top, a hooded sweatshirt and sweat pants. She was found without shoes or any identification and lying on the shoulder of eastbound I-70, east of New Market, Maryland. The only clues to identify her were two dragon tattoos located on her back with the words “Gypsy Rose” written beneath them. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in 2006 ruled her death as a homicide caused by stabbing and blunt force trauma.
Artman was charged with first- and second-degree murder and first- and -second degree assault following an investigation. He was awaiting extradition back to Maryland to stand trial prior to his death, police said.
Artman died on Dec. 28, 2023, from terminal lung cancer. He was serving a life sentence at the Michigan Department of Corrections for a 1996 cold case rape and murder of Sharon Hammack, 29, in Kent County, Michigan
While receiving treatment at a Michigan hospital shortly before his death, he confessed to the murder of Shuck during interviews with Maryland State Police detectives and other law enforcement agencies around the country.
Police in Grand Rapids, Michigan also tied Artman to a woman's disappearance nearly 30 years ago.
“Interviews with Artman provided enough information to reasonably conclude he was involved in the 1995 disappearance of Cathleen Dennis but that it is very unlikely that Dennis’ body will ever be found,” a Grand Rapids police spokeswoman said earlier this month.
During subsequent interviews with police, Artman claimed responsibility for several more heinous crimes, but provided few details. Detectives say Artman worked as a long-haul truck driver and traveled throughout the country.
"Due to his transient lifestyle as a truck driver ... and the information he provided, police are searching for leads that may connect Artman to additional unsolved cases," detectives said.
Anyone with relevant information that could aid in the continued investigation is asked to call the Maryland State Police Homicide Unit at 410-996-7881. All callers may remain anonymous.
Maryland State Police are working with the FBI as well as law enforcement in Michigan to seek justice for any potential victims. The investigation remains active and ongoing.
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