Steven Joseph Fisher and Melisa Lynn Gregory
Double Homicide
Steven Fisher, 20, and girlfriend Melisa Gregory, 17
Newton, IA (Jasper County)
Case # 8301119
March 3, 1983
Case summary by Jody Ewing
Steven Fisher and girlfriend Melisa Gregory were found beaten to death at the Copper Dollar Ranch northwest of Newton, Iowa, in Jasper County on March 3, 1983.
The Copper Dollar Ranch — located at West 48th Street North about a quarter-mile north of Hwy F36 West and about four miles northwest of Newton — was a horse ranch where Harold Snedeker and Alan Shad, both of Newton, raised quarter horses and Appaloosas.
[The late] foreman Jeff Illingworth arrived at the ranch shortly before 8 a.m. on March 3 and discovered the body of Steven Fisher, who also worked at the ranch, lying face down on the ground near the barn and a camper, wearing only blue jeans and covered in blood. Illingworth immediately checked inside the trailer, where he discovered Melisa Gregory's body. Illingworth then ran to a neighboring home and contacted authorities.
Illingworth and the homeowner then returned to the ranch to wait for law enforcement officials.
Illingworth's brother was married to Fisher's sister, and the two were close friends.
Authorities confirmed the identity of the victims through dental records and fingerprints, and autopsy reports stated that both Fisher and Gregory died from massive head injuries.
According to a Newton Daily News article written by Mandi Lamb and published on March 3, 2008, Melisa's mother, Ida Reynolds, and sister, Lisa Gregory, said they learned through television news reports that a couple had been killed at the Copper Dollar Ranch, and Melisa's brother Scott said he heard the news through a friend's brother before any were informed of Melisa's death by investigators.
At the time of his death, Fisher was still married to Terri Supino and had two young children, though Fisher and Supino had been separated for several months. Fisher and Gregory had been dating during those months.
Jasper County Attorney Steve Johnson acknowledged there was some known drug activity in the area, but said he personally believed the murders were "up close and personal."
In September 2009, Supino announced her plans to write a book about the unsolved murders.
Steven Fisher was survived by his mother, Thelma Fisher of Newton; his wife Terri Supino and their two young children; two brothers, Ron and Billy Fisher of Newton; and a sister, Darlene Illingworth of Newton.
Melisa Gregory's survivors included her mother, Ida Reynolds; two brothers, Scott Gregory and Travis Reynolds of Newton; and two sisters, Lisa Gregory and Tanna Reynolds of Newton.
Sources and References:
IDPS Division of Criminal Investigation - Melisa Gregory
IDPS Division of Criminal Investigation - Steven Fisher
Twenty-five years later, Copper Dollar murders remain unsolved - Newton Daily News, March 3, 2008
Newton resident planning book on Copper Dollar Ranch murders - Newton Daily News, Sept. 15, 2009
Tater Dawn's MySpace Blog, March 5, 2008
Page last updated: December 5, 2009
