Eldon in Wapello County, IA

Helen Morrow

Homicide

Helen Morrow
55 YOA
Eldon, IA
Wapello County
August 12, 1980

Case summary by Jody Ewing

Mrs. Helen Morrow was found lying on a bed in a first floor room of her fire-ravaged two-story home in Eldon, IA, on August 12, 1980. An autopsy report showed she died of smoke inhalation.

Herman Pierce, 48, also of Eldon, was charged Tuesday, Aug. 26, 1980, with first-degree murder in her death. Pierce, who reportedly worked for Mrs. Morrow, was accused of deliberately setting the fire, and was held in the Wapello County jail under a $100,000 bond. The murder charge was filed following an investigation by the state fire marshal’s office.

Pierce had been questioned by authorities and held in jail on an intoxication charge the night of the fire. Witnesses told authorities they saw Pierce leaving Mrs. Morrow’s home moments before flames were detected.

Though county prosecutors had filed murder charges against Pierce, they decided to take the case to the grand jury.

On Friday, October 3, 1980, a four-man, three-woman Wapello County Grand Jury failed to return any indictment against Pierce.

References:

• “Area unsolved murders continue to haunt law enforcement officials, families,” Ottumwa Courier, Jan. 6, 2007
• “Refuse indictment in death,” Oelwein Daily Register, Oct. 4, 1980
• “Charged in fatal fire,” Oelwein Daily Register, Aug. 27, 1980

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