Elizabeth Syperda vanished from Mount Pleasant on July 17, 2000.

On July 17, 2000 — 10 years ago today — 22-year-old Mount Pleasant resident Elizabeth “Liz” Nicole Forshee-Syperda disappeared from her East Madison Street apartment sometime between 10:30 p.m. and 4:00 a.m. She left behind all her belongings and never claimed her last paycheck or accessed her bank account again.

Her roommate — who was at work when Liz disappeared — said the apartment door was locked from the outside and that Liz had no access to a vehicle.

One month before, Liz’s estranged husband Michael Syperda (whom she met when she babysat his children) had a violent confrontation with Liz and her roommate. After she vanished, he pled guilty to assault in that case and received a suspended sentence and parole.

Although law enforcement cannot link Michael Syperda to the disappearance (he refused to take a polygraph), Liz’s family believes he was involved. He now lives in Colorado.

Liz’s mother Donna Forshee travels from Sacramento, California, to Mount Pleasant every year on the anniversary of Liz’s disappearance. She hopes that her public presence at remembrance ceremonies will remind the public and law enforcement about the need to find Liz.

For the 10th anniversary of Liz’s vanishing, Donna Forshee paid for a billboard near New London, Iowa, that informs drivers of the disappearance and offers a $20,000 reward for information.

When she disappeared, Elizabeth was 5-feet-4 and weighed 150 pounds. Her long brown hair is naturally curly and her eyes are hazel. She has piercings in her ears, tongue, and left nipple; and a heart tattoo surrounds her navel. She was last seen wearing a t-shirt, black jeans, white Nike athletic shoes, a diamond and emerald ring, a wedding ring, and a diamond “Year 2000″ necklace.

Elizabeth Syperda, missing since 2000

Liz’s disappearance was highly publicized and the area was saturated with missing person posters, but law enforcement received no information to indicate foul play or to reveal the location of the missing young woman.

If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the Mount Pleasant Police Department at 319-385-1450 or the Iowa DPS Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

To make an anonymous report, call the Greater Burlington Area Crime Stoppers at 319-753-6835.

The holiday creates conditions and opportunities just right for crime.

Nearly every Iowa city or hamlet hosts a 4th of July parade or picnic with a carnival and fireworks. Add to that class and family reunions, and even the smallest towns see inflated populations. Drifters and transients come in with traveling midways and food booths; but in the crush of crowds, strangers don’t arouse suspicion.

The festive atmosphere pushes regular schedules aside, alters behavior patterns, and lowers caution.

Hot, muggy weather provokes physical and emotional stress, anxiety, and aggression.

Many activities are scheduled long after night falls, and folks drift off afterwards into the potentially dangerous darkness towards their homes or cars.

Alcohol, consumed all day and long after the fireworks end, lowers inhibitions — of both victims and predators — and emboldens risk-taking and aggressive behavior.

Although many unsolved homicides cluster around this time, this weekend we remember Iowans who have gone missing during the 4th of July holiday.

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Thousands gather each year to watch giant explosions of color coordinated to music at the Dubuque Jaycees and Radio Dubuque Fireworks Display along the Mississippi River. Afterwards, the restaurants and bars of downtown Dubuque fill with celebrants.

Crystal Arensdorf, 20, disappeared from Dubuque July 4, 2001.

That’s where 20-year-old Crystal Ann Arensdorf and her friends were on the hot, humid night of Tuesday, July 3, 2001 — in Knicker’s Saloon at 2186 Central Avenue. Even though she was a minor, Crystal drank alcohol there.

Knicker's Saloon, where Crystal Arensdorf was last seen on July 4, 2001

The 5-feet-6, 115-pound blonde wore blue-tinted soft contacts over her brown eyes that night. She was dressed in a white polo shirt, tan shorts, and sandals and wore an opal pendant on a gold chain, an opal ring, and a toe ring.

Crystal chatted with brothers Steven and David Peacock; and, after her friends left, she tried to find a ride to East Dubuque, Illinois, on the other side of the Mississippi. She discussed sharing a cab with bartender Robert R. Mootz after the bar closed, but that never materialized.

Crystal vanished after last being seen at Knicker’s Saloon around 2:00 a.m. Wednesday, July 4.

She has been declared an involuntarily missing and “endangered” person.

The Peacock brothers were polygraphed and their car seized and searched, but charges against them were not filed. Bartender Robert Mootz was also questioned. He was convicted of serving alcohol to a minor but not charged with Crystal’s disappearance. In October of 2001, Crystal’s boyfriend, Tim Gerlieb, was cleared of suspicion.

After following up on more than 550 leads, Dubuque Police are stymied. The Arensdorf family is offering a $2,500 reward for details leading to Crystal’s whereabouts.

If you have any information concerning the disappearance of Crystal Ann Arensdorf, contact the Dubuque Police Department at 319-589-4410 or the Iowa DPS Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

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Waterloo Jaycees Fireworks Festival on the Cedar River

The free Independence Day Jaycees Fireworks Festival annually draws nearly 30,000 people into downtown Waterloo for an air show, music, and beer gardens. The view along the Cedar River is spectacular as fireworks explode from the 6th Street Bridge.

The celebration is held the first Saturday in July, which in 2004 was July 3. Temperatures hit 85, the sun went in and out of the clouds, and humidity was high. A little rain fell in the evening but had dissipated by fireworks time. The festivities continued into Sunday, July 4 and the early hours of Monday.

L.C. Matlock was last seen July 5, 2004 in Waterloo.

That’s the day 37-year-old Waterloo resident L.C. Matlock disappeared. He was last seen near the Mullen Avenue Bridge wearing a white Denver Broncos Terrell Owens jersey with blue jeans and black Nike tennis shoes.

When Matlock failed to show up at his Tyson meat plant job, his employers contacted his family, who did not know where he was. He was reported missing to Waterloo Police on Monday, July 19, two full weeks after he disappeared.

Matlock, who lived alone, has not contacted family members; and his bank account has been inactive.

Police have no evidence of foul play in Matlock’s disappearance but consider him physically endangered because he needs medication for a health problem.

Matlock is African-American, stands 6-feet-2, and weighs 210. He has black hair and brown eyes.

If you have information on the whereabouts of L.C. Matlock, contact the Waterloo Police at 319-291-4339 or the Iowa DPS Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

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Michael James Delaney, 49, disappeared from Davenport on July 3, 2008.

Forty-nine-year-old Davenport resident Michael James Delaney was reported missing on Thursday, July 3, 2008 after he lost contact with his teenage daughter Jennifer, with whom he lived.

On that day, the annual “Red, White, and Boom” celebration took place along the Davenport and Rock Island riverfronts. Clowns, obstacle courses, art work, and music provided family entertainment; and the day ended with fireworks on the Mississippi synchronized to patriotic music.

Shorty before he disappeared, Michael Delaney purchased a recent-model, white, extended-cab Chevrolet Silverado Z71 4-wheel drive pick-up, which also has not been seen since July 3, 2008. There is no VIN information available for the truck because the seller is unknown.

Michael Delaney bought a truck similar to this one shortly before he disappeared. (photo courtesy of the Quad-City Times)

Mark Edward Handlon, a person of interest in Michael Delaney's disappearance

Authorities named 53-year-old Mark Edward Handlon as a “person of interest” in the disappearance. Handlon had arrest warrants at the time in the Quad City area, one for stealing money from a Moline restaurant. He also failed to return a white 2000 Chevrolet Silverado pickup to a Bettendorf car dealership in June 2008. Police also are looking for him.

Michael James Delaney is a white male who stands 5-foot-10, weighs 190 pounds, and has brown hair and blue eyes. A woman who dated him shortly before he disappeared described Delaney as a “wonderful, caring, and charming person” who was devoted to his daughter and still grieving the death of his wife.

Michael James Delaney

Delaney’s photo and information are posted on several missing person websites where readers are encouraged to provide feedback. This post — signed by “Michael James” — was left on helpfindthemissing.org at 3:35 p.m. on November 12th, 2009:

“i am dead. please do not worry about me. i am in a better place. i was killed by someone i did not know and i do not want anyone looking for me any longer. my body is by the susquehanna river where i often used to fish. please stop worrying, i am fine.”

If you have information on the whereabouts of Michael Delaney or his vehicle or about Mark Edward Handlon, contact the Davenport Police Department at 563-326-7979, Davenport Police Detective Shannon Hughes at 563-326-6147, Quad City Crime Stoppers at 309-762-9500, or the Iowa DPS Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

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Temperatures and humidity were both in the low 80s on Friday, July 3, 2009. This was the last time the Maquoketa Area Chamber of Commerce sponsored its annual Independence Day fireworks following dirt track races at the Jackson County Fairgrounds. Racing fans had long enjoyed the combination of the spectacles.

It was also the day that 40-year-old Noel E. Brown was reported missing to the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office.

A photo of Noel Brown is not available, but he stands six-feet tall, weighs 155 pounds, and has brown hair and hazel eyes.

If you have any information about Noel Brown’s disappearance, contact the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office at 563-652-0662 or the Iowa DPS Missing Person Information Clearinghouse.

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There will always be a carefree and jubilant celebration of our nation’s independence and people will continue to mix alcohol with the fun of large crowds. July heat and humidity are a constant in Iowa.

But limiting alcohol intake, not becoming separated from companions, and being aware of surroundings and unusual behavior will help guard against foul play on the 4th of July.

A large amount of marijuana was missing, making drugs the primary motive for the murder. As drug use in Iowa became more prevalent in the 1960s and the following decades, so too did violent crimes like robbery and murder.

The Greater Burlington Area Crime Stoppers offers a thousand dollar reward for details that would solve this case. If you have any information, call them at 319-753-6835 (319-75-DO-TEL). You can remain anonymous.

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Thirty-five-year-old Arthur Leon Ransford was last seen on November 22, 1983. Nearly five months later, on May 13, 1984, his body was found inside in a large yellow bag buried under cement blocks just off Rural Route M in a wooded area overlooking the Mississippi River south of Montrose, Iowa, in Lee County.

He was born March 20, 1947 in Scotland County, Missouri, to Thelma Maxine Long and William Bryon Ransford. He served in the military during the Viet Nam era. His parents and a daughter survived.

If you have any information about the unsolved murder of Arthur Leon Ransford, contact the Lee County Sheriff’s Office at 319-524-1414 or 319-372-1152 or report details to the DCI Cold Case Unit.

Jared Parks

Accidental fall? Suicide? Pedestrian-vehicle accident? Murder made to look like mishap?

These questions swirled around the death of 18-year-old Jared Parks after his body was found a little before midnight on Monday, May 11, 2009 on Interstate 35/80 near the Beaver Avenue Bridge in Polk County, Iowa.

This much was known:

• Jared was struck by at least two semi tractor-trailers and possibly a third that did not stop.

• He was seen lying unconscious on the road by the first truck driver.

• The Polk County Medical Examiner ruled his injuries consistent with being run over.

• His cellphone, wallet, earrings, and tennis shoes were missing.

• He left his girlfriend’s home at 9:30 p.m., saying he’d return soon. At the same time, he texted his mother that he’d be home at 11:30.

• He was not driving a car.

• Only a few calls or texts were linked to his cellphone after he contacted his mother.

• Although investigators could ping his phone to a cell tower close to the body, they could not locate the phone, possibly because it was tossed into undergrowth.

The popular and outgoing Jared, son of Tammy and Chad Parks, graduated from Urbandale High School early, but planned to participate in the upcoming commencement ceremony.

Hundred of friends remembered Jared at a candle-lit memorial. The unanswered question that lingered at the ceremony was what had happened to this happy and well-liked young man.

Iowacoldcases.org received anonymous information that Jared may have known people who were involved in drugs. There is no way to verify this, but perhaps someone out there knows more facts and will come forward.

If you can help solve this perplexing death, call the Iowa State Patrol at 515-323-4360 or Polk County Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400.

Jared’s mom and dad are offering a $10,000 reward for information.

During the first week in May nearly 35 years apart, two Iowa children were struck by vehicles and left to die.

Valerie Peterson

On May 3, 2005, four-year-old Josh Yoder was struck by a medium blue 1990s Chevrolet Corsica in the 500 block of South 9th Street in Clinton, Iowa, and died the next day.

Josh Yoder

Why would someone fail to stop and aid a child? The NHTSA does not try to speculate on the reasons, admitting that they are as varied as the suspects involved. But, what could be more cowardly than this act—on both the parts of the drivers and of those who help them conceal their heartless acts?

The Peterson and Yoder families need answers. Perhaps you or someone you know can help them.

If you have any information regarding the murder of Valerie Peterson, call the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Department at (712) 297-7583 or fill out the Contact form on this site.

Clinton County Crimestoppers—at (563)-242-6595—will pay up to $1,000 for information in the investigation of Josh Yoder’s murder. Private citizens of Clinton have also established a reward.

Chuck Deatsch

The death of Elmer Charles “Chuck” Deatsch, Jr., 52, left not only a family bereft, but an entire community. About 10:50 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2008, Chuck was killed inside his rural home near Mystic, Iowa, by a single shot that was fired from outside. It was a senseless and seemingly random murder.

His wife and daughters, the neighboring farming community, his church, and the citizens of Mystic are left to wonder how such a monstrous act could happen to someone so loved and respected.

There is a $40,000 reward for information leading to the person or persons who coldly murdered Chuck Deatsch.

If you have any information concerning this homicide, contact the Appanoose County Sheriff at (641) 437-7100 or Crime Stoppers at (641) 856-3134.

Ruth Pohlmeier-Kingery

Most families are fortunate not to be touched by violence or murder and some seem to have more than their share. Ruthie’s brother Samuel John Kingery was murdered in Ames, Iowa, in 1999.

Her brother’s killer was convicted and sent to prison. Now it’s Ruth’s time for justice.

There is a $3,000 reward for information leading to an arrest or conviction in Ruth Pohlmeier-Kingery’s unsolved murder. If you have information, call Crime Stoppers at 515-223-1400 or click here to contact the Des Moines Police Department or call 515-283-4869.

George Geary, 40, was shot to death about 1:30 a.m. on January 13, 1963, during a robbery at his M & H service station at Keosauqua Way and Crocker St. in Des Moines. A total of $252.15 had been stolen from the filling station’s cash register.

Angela Hennes

Angela Marie Hennes, a 41-year-old mother of two sons, went missing for 10 days in January 2007 before her badly burned body was found face down in the fetal position in a farm field off Seven Sisters Road in rural Scott County about 4 p.m. January 13.

Pathology reports indicated Hennes had been dead two to three days, and toxicology reports showed no drugs or alcohol in her system.

Hennes’ cell phone went off January 3, 2007 — the day she disappeared.

A $5,000 reward has been offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction in Hennes’ murder.

Patricia Anne Jauron, 45, was stabbed to death at her former residence at 1516 Old Highway 141 just outside of Sioux City, Iowa.

Patricia and her husband, Gene, had moved out of the house about six months earlier and into a house across the road at 1541 Old Highway 141. The day of her murder, Patricia allegedly went to the former residence at 9 a.m. to show a waterbed to a person responding to an ad placed on the radio show Swap Shop.

When Patricia did not return, her husband went looking for her, and after finding blood in the house called 911.

Patricia was found in the front yard on a downhill slope, though the weapon was never found.

The Woodbury County Sheriff’s Office asks anyone with information to call the office at 712-279-6010 or (800) 352-6352, or Crime Stoppers at 712-258-8477 or (800) 728-6401.

Connie Ruddy

In the past week, officials from two separate Iowa counties offered rewards for information on two unsolved western Iowa homicides.

On February 10, Ida County Sheriff Wade Harriman announced a $5,000 reward in the case of 21-year-old Connie Ruddy, who disappeared from her Ida Grove home on Feb. 10, 1997, and whose jawbone was found in Crawford County more than two years later on Aug. 31, 1999.

Ruddy’s two-year-old and two-month-old children were found alone and unharmed in her residence after she went missing.

Anyone with information can contact the Ida County Sheriff’s Office at (712) 364-3146 or anonymously at the Ida County Crime Stopper’s line at (800) 568-4401.

Wilma June Nissen

On Feb. 16, the Lyon County Sheriff’s Office announced a $10,000 reward for information that helps solve the 30-year-old murder case of Wilma June Nissen, whose body was found in rural Rock Rapids on Oct. 4, 1978, but remained unidentified until 2006 when her fingerprint was matched with records on file with the Los Angeles Police Department. Lyon County deputies are also going door-to-door to speak with people living within a five-mile radius of where Nissen’s body was found.

Nissen, who was born in California, was exhumed from a Rock Rapids cemetery in 2007 so analysts could examine her body for new clues about her death. In addition to the reward, officials have set up a hotline and web site to garner information about Nissen’s death. The site, www.lyoncountyiowa.com/wilma, contains information about Nissen’s past, persons of interest and contact numbers for sheriff, FBI and DCI investigators.

Anyone with information about Nissen’s death can call the hotline at (712) 472-8334. Callers can remain anonymous.