Webster County in Iowa
Angela Marie Altman
Angela Marie Altman
22 YOA
215 S. 7th Street
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Case #81-00528
January 24, 1981
At 3:20 p.m. on Saturday, January 24, 1981, the partially-nude body of 22-year-old Fort Dodge resident Angela Marie Altman was found by her sister lying on the kitchen floor of her apartment at 215 S. 7th Street.
Courtesy photo Fort Dodge MessengerAngela’s 4-year-old daughter Jessica Marie was also in the apartment, but was unharmed.
No weapon was found at the scene.
After performing an autopsy, Webster County Medical Examiner Dr. Dan Cole ruled that Angela died from blood loss caused by abdominal stab wounds; she was also strangled.
When her sister discovered Angela, she had been dead 8 to 10 hours. She was last seen on the night of January 23.
The Department of Criminal Investigation assisted Fort Dodge Police, with Webster County Attorney Monty Fisher compiling details for any possible criminal case.
Courtesy photo Jessica AltmanNeighbors told Fort Dodge Police that Angela was dating 16-year-old Everett Dial, who lived nearby at 413 S. 7th Street. Angela’s family believed the relationship was abusive.
At 1:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 25, Dial came to the police station and said he heard he was wanted for questioning in Angela’s death. Police held him in connection with the murder but did not say publicly why Dial was a suspect.
However, a witness placed him in the apartment that night and he did not have an alibi.
Because he was under 18, Dial was held at the Juvenile Detention Center. Probation Officer Merlin Ritchey weighed alternatives in the case, looking particularly at competency status.
A petition was filed on Monday, January 25 in the Clerk of Court’s Office alleging that Dial committed a delinquent act — specifially, murder.
Magistrate and Juvenile Judge Francis Tierney wanted to close the probable cause hearing to evaluate the evidence Dial was being held on, but Dial’s attorney Tom Price preferred it be open.
Everett Dial was freed on his own recognizance in early March. Judge Tierney examined evaluations performed at North Central Mental Health Center and ruled that Dial was not a threat to the community nor a flight risk.
Everett Dial was not charged with the murder of Angela Altman, and no one else has been charged and convicted.
Courtesy photo Jessica Altman and Cindy Henning An Altman family member was recently told by both past and present Fort Dodge authorities that there were two possible suspects in the case, but not enough evidence to prove either guilty.
Angela’s case remains unsolved, and she has not received justice.
Angela Marie Altman was born on July 30, 1958 in Meridian, Mississippi. She moved with her family to Fort Dodge when she was three months-old.
She attended Pleasant View Elementary School and South Junior High School in Fort Dodge.
Her daughter Jessica Marie was born in September of 1976.
Angela’s funeral services were held at 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 31 at the Bruce Memorial Chapel. Rev. Bessie Williams, pastor of Mission Followers of Jesus Christ, conducted the funeral and Angela was buried in Oakland Cemetery.
Courtesy photo Leta KollShe was survived by her daughter Jessica Marie Altman; her mother Clarice J. Altman; her brothers, Larry, Danny, Jimmy, and Michael Altman; and her sisters Dianne Altman Hunter and Delores and JoAnna Altman.
Angela’s daughter Jessica was raised by her grandmother Clarice Altman. Despite the tragedy in her early life, Jessica has achieved many goals and is very successful. After serving in the Army, she became a Registered Nurse and works at a mental health facility.
Information and questions about the unsolved 1981 murder of Angela Marie Altman should be directed to Iowa Cold Cases through the Contact form.
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30 years and still no answers :(
I know sad as it is. Whoever killed her is now suffering by the hands of God. He might have got away with it through The Law but he won’t escape Gods hands.praying for justice for your Mom Jessica
Jessica, I was your mothers “big sister” when she was in Davenport as a teenager. You both came to stay for about a week when you were an infant. I just recently started searching for her and was so saddened to come across this site. I am so sorry for your loss. Cindy Henning
Prayers that this case will get solved, so the Altman family can be at peace.
I think after 30 some years it’s a shame that so many crimes are being done and not solved in the webster county area. If they had been white someone would have solved it by now. But because its black on black crime it seems like nobody cares.
Until we start acting like we care about each other and what happens to our brothers and sisters in this community it will never change. Its too sad that we as a people don’t have one another’s backs …truly sad…!