Matt Pusateri

Matthew Pusateri

Homicide

Matthew Pusateri
26 YOA
800 Block of Sixth St. SW
Cedar Rapids, IA
Linn County
Nov. 12, 1988

Case summary by Jody Ewing

Matt Pusateri, a cab driver for Yellow Cab in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, was shot in the head about 3 a.m. on November 12, 1988, while sitting inside his cab in a parking lot in the city’s 800 block of Sixth Street SW.

Police speculate that two assailants tried to rob Pusateri, 26, and when he refused to hand over any money, they shot him.

Linn County in Iowa

Cedar Rapids in Linn County

Police have compared Pusateri’s murder to that of Brian Schappert, 22, also of Cedar Rapids, who was stabbed to death less than one year later as he worked at the Kum & Go convenience store at 2743 Mount Vernon Rd. SE.

Both victims were described as “good kids,” and robbery most likely was the motive in both homicides.

There was also the possibility that in each case, the young man died because he recognized the robber and could have identified him to police.

Both cases remain unsolved.

Sources:

• “JonBenet arrest fills East Iowans with new hope,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, Aug. 19, 2006
• “Youth jailed in armed robbery,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, Aug. 1, 1993
• “Murdered, Missing, Unsolved,” Cedar Rapids Gazette, March 22, 1992