Des Moines County in Iowa

Burlington in Des Moines County

James A. Harsch

Homicide

James Andrew Harsch
31 YOA
Case # 7803075
Burlington, IA
Des Moines County
May 13, 1978

On May 13, 1978, the Burlington Police Department received a call about a dead body in a trailer home on Mill Dam Road just over the Burlington city limits.

Officers responded to the address and discovered the badly decomposed body of James A. Harsch lying in the doorway. There was a gray and brown cord tied in a square knot around his neck.

Harsch, who was beaten and strangled, had been dead about a week. There were signs of a violent struggle.

A large amount of marijuana was taken from the home, so the murder appeared to be drug-related.

James Andrew Harsch was born in Burlington on March 10, 1947 to Anita Elizabeth Cousineau and Frank Andrew Harsch. He had three siblings, including brother Thomas F. Harsch.

Questions and comments about the unsolved 1978 murder of James Harsch should be directed to the Burlington Police Department at 319-753-8375 or Iowa Cold Cases through the Contact form.

Sources

• IDPS Division of Criminal Investigation
• “Sheriff’s Office seeks tips on 1978 murder,” Burlington Hawk-Eye, August 22, 1994.