Arthur Bomar's Deceptive Crime Leads to Murder Conviction
October 4, 2026
This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 19, 2026
Arthur Bomar, who confessed to using a counterfeit police badge to lure Aimee Willard—a promising George Mason University lacrosse athlete—in 1996, faced arrest on June 6, 1997, charged with her murder.
Aimee Willard, a rising star in collegiate lacrosse, pursued a career in physical education and aspired to coach high school athletics.
Born into a close family—her mother Gail Willard worked as a nurse and her father Paul Willard retired from the Chester Police Department—Aimee lived in Brookhaven and balanced academics with social life.
On the evening of June 20, 1996, 22-year-old Aimee returned home late from a night out, unaware of the danger awaiting her. While driving south on Interstate 476 toward Springfield, she encountered Arthur Bomar, who employed a fake badge to halt her vehicle.
Believing the badge authentic, Aimee complied, only to be forcibly removed from her car and taken against her will. Her body was discovered the following morning in a desolate lot at 16th Street and Indiana Avenue, bearing signs of severe violence confirmed through forensic evidence linking Bomar directly to the crime.
Despite initial investigative dead ends, Bomar eventually confessed during interrogation, prompted by warnings from investigators and cooperation from associates. His conviction followed a comprehensive trial in October 1998, resulting in a death sentence for first-degree murder and related charges.
Now 57, Bomar remains incarcerated on death row at State Correctional Institution Greene, with multiple appeals consistently denied by courts including the Pennsylvania Supreme Court in August 2026.
District Attorney Jack Whelan described Bomar as "pure evil," emphasizing ongoing efforts toward execution despite pending federal reviews. For Aimee's family, particularly mother Gail Willard, the verdict represented long-awaited closure as she prepared community meals near the tragic discovery site, expressing minimal concern for Bomar's fate.
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