Cold Cases in the News
One in nine Americans knows the victim of an unsolved homicide
Scripps Howard News Service: Nearly one-third of American adults personally know the victim of a homicide. Of those, 35 percent say the police never identified who killed their friends, relatives, neighbors or acquaintances.
July 28, 2010
Police: DNA connects man to 1980 unsolved killing
San Luis Obispo, CA -- Armed with new DNA evidence, Sacramento police have arrested a man in connection with a 30-year-old unsolved homicide.
The suspect, 57-year-old Robert Lee Blockton, was arrested Monday on suspicion of stabbing to death a former high school classmate in November 1980.
July 28, 2010
KC's oldest cold case reopened after gun turns up — in use by police
In a reversal of an earlier decision, Kansas City police are reopening a 40-year-old investigation into the 1970 shotgun slaying of black political leader Leon Jordan.
July 24, 2010
Minneapolis: Vigil Held 1 Year After Unsolved Stairwell Killing
One year and no answers. Sunday will mark the one year anniversary of the death of Paul Fisher.
July 23, 2010
Casino Manager's Death Still Unsolved
DETROIT — Almost three years after a Detroit casino manager was found dead on the steps of his apartment building, his family is asking for more tips from the public to solve the slaying.
July 23, 2010
COLD CASE: The 1977 murder of Frank Goff at a party remains unsolved
DES MOINES - Roxanne Beck was just entering her teen years 33 years ago when her father, Frank Goff of Des Moines, was murdered. And the killer, Goff's children believe, was one of his own brothers. Now there will never be an arrest and there will never be justice; Goff's brothers are both dead.
July 21, 2010
Writer uncovers mystery in 'famous' unsolved murder
Wauwatosa, Wis. -- This month marks the 85th anniversary of one of the few unsolved murders committed in Wauwatosa: the killing of 8-year-old Arthur "Buddy" Schumacher Jr., son of a pharmaceutical supply salesman and grandson of one of the city's key leaders in the early 20th century.
July 21, 2010
1977 Washington state cold case homicide solved
EVERETT, Wash. (AP) - Sheriff's detectives in Washington state say they have solved a homicide that has been a mystery for 33 years, since 24-year-old Marsha Sitton was found strangled in the back seat of her car on June 24, 1977.
July 15, 2010
McCuddin case still active
Ft. Dodge Messenger – Markasia McCuddin sits with her grandmother Becky McCuddin outside during a hot day. The 10-year-old would rather sit and hear the adults talk about her mother, Lisa McCuddin, than go swimming with her brother and cousin. Kasia, as her grandmother calls her, remembers her mother even though she was only 4 when Lisa McCuddin, 23, was shot and killed Oct. 2, 2004, as she rode in a car on Kenyon Road. Officials believe the shooting was related to a brawl that occurred at the Eagle's Club the previous night during a rap party. McCuddin was working the door that night and helped organize the event.
July 15, 2010
COLD CASE: Young Mother's Killer Still On The Loose
Fort Dodge, IA -- WHO-TV Channel 13's Aaron Brilbeck looks into the unsolved murder of 23-year-old Lisa McCuddin of
Fort Dodge, Iowa.
July 8, 2010
WHO-TV Channel 13's Aaron Brilbeck looks into the unsolved disappearance of Des Moines Register paperboy Eugene Martin
It's been 26 years since 13-year-old Eugene Martin set off one morning to deliver papers for the Des Moines Register and disappeared without a trace. Channel 13's Aaron Brilbeck talks to Eugene's aunt, Jeannie McDowell, about the
case that drew national attention and the effect Eugene's disappearance had on the family.
July 8, 2010
New Technology Could Solve Cold Case:
Iowa investigators hope to identify body found 26 years ago
Polk County officials say they're hoping the National Missing and Unidentified Person Systems will be able to help identify the tattooed man who detectives have nicknamed "Bones." The system was started in January 2009 and already has helped identify 15 people.
July 4, 2010
Cold Case Unit Important in Solving Crimes
South Dakota – Twenty-one years after an eleven-year-old boy was abducted in Minnesota, new leads have investigators getting closers to answers. Officials have seized items from a farm near where Jacob Wetterling was taken. While the past two decades have deemed the Wetterling a cold case, one break can make the difference.
July 2, 2010
COLD CASE: Channel 13's Aaron Brilbeck looks into the unsolved murder of 5-year-old Evelyn Miller
Floyd, IA - Thursday marked the five-year anniversary of the disappearance of 5-year-old Evelyn Miller. A day her grandparents have said always brings back horrible memories. "Yeah, it's a tough day today," Linda Christie has said, "I'm positive that she was killed that first day."
June 30, 2010
UPDATED: Medical Examiner's Report Back On Jon Lacina
AMES, Iowa -- The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner announced Wednesday its results into the investigation of the death of an Iowa State University student.
June 27, 2010
More North Iowa cold cases
Mason City Globe Gazette -- The body of Norma Jean Horgen, 18, of St. Ansgar, was found Sept. 10, 1966, floating in Clear Lake. John Rea Wallace, 45, a Las Vegas, Nev., veterinarian, was charged in 1992 with first-degree murder for allegedly drowning Horgen. The charge was dismissed in February 1993 when a judge ruled that the indictment was tainted.
June 27, 2010
Huisentruit investigators live with frustration, hope
MASON CITY, Iowa -- There is a small, plastic card stuck behind a piece of electrical conduit that runs the length of wall near Lt. Frank Stearns desk. “It’s Jodi’s driver’s license,” says Stearns, who is commander of investigations at the Mason City Police Department.
June 26, 2010
Community members, most who never met her, remember Evelyn, seek answers
In a case with many questions, it is at the feet of this angel, perhaps, where some answers are known.
And that is that five years after her death, Evelyn Miller of Floyd continues to be remembered.
June 26, 2010
15 Years: Jodi Still Missing
MASON CITY, IA- This weekend marks 15 years since the disappearance of KIMT anchorwoman Jodi Huisentruit. The 27-year old vanished without a trace on June 27th, 1995. Despite how much time has passed, investigators remain hopeful there's closure for this case in the future.
June 17, 2010
Amy Bishop, Who Shot 3 Professors, Charged with Cold Case Killing of Her Brother
Huntsville, AL -- In February, neurobiologist Amy Bishop opened fire at a meeting among University of Alabama-Huntsville faculty, killing three and wounding three others. Now she's charged with the 1986 murder of her brother, which was initially ruled accidental.
June 16, 2010
Cold Case Investigation
Minn. -- Washington County investigators are trying to solve a cold case dating back to 1993. They hope sketches and a DNA breakthrough will lead them to a suspect involving a body found at Pig's Eye Lake.
June 10, 2010
Passion for justice drives Cold Case volunteers
Lisbon, IA -- A passion for justice keeps the people at Iowa Cold Cases going. The organization, which operates the website www.iowacoldcases.org, has taken an interest in the suspicious death of Marlene "Mickey" Padfield, a former Lisbon High School student who died in 1959.
June 1, 2010
Murder charge in oldest cold case
Omaha -- A man serving time in Illinois has been charged with first-degree murder in one of Omaha's oldest cold cases: the 1978 slaying of a Clarkson Hospital employee.
Jerry Watson, 51, is charged with first-degree murder in the Oct. 17, 1978, slaying of Carroll Bonnet.
May 31, 2010
Cold case takes turn with arrest
PLACITAS, N.M. (KRQE) - The suspect in a Sandoval cold case found himself in trouble again, and investigators said Monday that could help their efforts to evenutally charge him. James Taylor was arrested at his Des Moines, Iowa home in February after investigators said he called 911 to tell them he was armed, and that he had poured gasoline all over his home.
May 25, 2010
Cold Case Killer Sentenced to Prison
A Nebraska man has been sentenced to 35 years in prison for a 1998 killing in southeastern South Dakota. James Strahl of Dakota City, Neb., was sentenced Tuesday in a Union County court on charges of manslaughter and grand theft. The 42-year-old Strahl had been convicted in 2007 of murdering William O'Hare at O'Hare's farm near Beresford and given a mandatory life sentence without possibility of parole.
May 24, 2010
DCI AWARDING 5TH GRADERS WHO SHOW COMPASSION FOR NATION'S MISSING CHILDREN
Des Moines, IOWA -- Each year 5th graders from across the country participate in the National Missing Children's Day Poster Contest, showing their compassion for our country's lost and missing youth, through art. Tomorrow the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation will honor those students in Iowa who excelled in depicting the harsh realities of child abduction or the sad consequences of running away from home, by using this year's theme, "Bring Our Missing Children Home."
May 18, 2010
Kidnapping Not Cedar Rapids’ First Case of Violence at Convenience Stores
CEDAR RAPIDS - Laura and Arnold Schappert’s son, Brian Schappert, had his throat
slashed two decades ago while he was working the overnight shift alone
at a Kum and Go gas station.
May 9, 2010
COLD CASE: 34 years after her death, investigators hope DNA will help catch
Lisa Peak's killer
For the families of hundreds of Iowans, questions still remain surrounding
the death of their loved ones. Since 1912, investigators have come
up cold on 345 cases. Now, one of those cases may be a step closer
to being solved.
May 8, 2010
Eastern Iowa Cold Case: Lisa Peak
WAVERLY (KWWL) -- It's a cold case that's haunted Eastern Iowa law enforcement for more than
three decades. In 1976, 20-year old Marie "Lisa" Peak had just returned to the Wartburg College campus for her sophomore year.
May 8, 2010
Cold Case: Remains Of 1976 Murder Victim Exhumed
Bremer County, IA -- Bremer County, Iowa authorities have disinterred the remains of a homicide
victim buried more than 30 years ago to see if technological advances
may yield new evidence in her death. County Attorney Kasey Wadding
says the body of Marie Lisa Peak was disinterred Friday and sent to
the State Medical Examiner's office in Ankeny for re-examination.
May 4, 2010
$50,000 Reward Announced for Information Leading to the Whereabouts of Missing
Teen
KANSAS CITY, MO—Chief James Person, Belton Police Department and FBI Special Agent in Charge
Brian Truchon announced today a $50,000 reward for information leading
to the whereabouts of missing teen Kara Kopetsky. The announcement
of this reward is in addition to any other reward monies being offered.
May 2, 2010
Mystery of son's death haunts Urbandale couple
Urbandale, IA -- A for-sale sign pokes out of the freshly cut grass in front of Chad and
Tammy Parks' Urbandale home. The gray split-level holds too much anguish
for the couple and their daughter Adra, 11, to stay any longer. Nearly
a year has passed since their son, Jared Parks, was found dead along
a stretch of Interstate Highway 35/80 near the Merle Hay Road exit.
April 27, 2010
Charges in 2 cold-case killings
Ohio -- DNA evidence and persistence by Cincinnati police detective Jenny Luke led
to charges Tuesday in two separate cold-case homicides.
April 8, 2010
In perspective: Padfield's death a long time ago
Lisbon, IA -- Fifty years is a long time. It’s an especially long time to remember something,
unless it was some sort of life-changing event. The mystery surrounding
the 1959 death of Marlene Padfield of Lisbon would without a doubt
qualify as life-changing for all involved – family, acquaintances
and those questioned by law enforcement back then.
April 8, 2010
Cold case: Memories hazy about 1951 mystery
Lisbon, IA -- Memories of the 1959 suspicious death of 17-year-old Lisbon resident Marlene
Padfield remain hazy at best for a Cedar Rapids doctor who was a part
of the investigation.
April 1, 2010
Cold case: More details found, more sought in 1959 death of young woman
Lisbon, IA -- The unexplained death in 1959 of 17-year-old Marlene “Mickey” Padfield of
Lisbon is drawing renewed interest following publication of a story
in the Sun on March 18. Beryl O’Connor and Bob Hill of Lisbon have
led the push to encourage anyone with any knowledge of the case to
step forward, both to preserve and honor the budding actress’ memory
and to help solve the cold case.
March 29, 2010
Atwater, Crandall murders are still on cops' minds
Milan, IL -- The Milan police department continues to investigate two relatively recent
murders, perpetrators of which have managed to elude officers to date.
March 28, 2010
Two unsolved murder cases police will never forget
Quad Cities -- Mary Ann Becker and Paul Donder each were murdered at their home, Ms. Becker
in Atkinson in 1974 and Mr. Donder in Silvis in 1980. Both were publicized
heavily at the time. Police say they never had much more to work with
in either case than rumor and speculation. Leads soon petered out.
But officers say they don't stop thinking about the two cases.
March 28, 2010
Search Of Lake For Lacina Turns Up Empty
Ames, Iowa -- What law enforcement is calling a thorough search of Lake LaVerne on the
Iowa State University campus has turned up no sign of missing student
Jon Lacina.
March 27, 2010
Quad Cities Cold Case Murders 1935-2009
March 27, 2010
Murders unsolved but not forgotten
Quad-Cities -- Charles Englehart was found murdered in the 700 block of Main Street in
Davenport on Sept. 22, 1935. Not much more than that is known about
the man and his murder, except that it is the oldest of 52 unsolved
Quad-Cities area murders discovered during a search of Dispatch/Argus
files and of old police records by officers.
March 22, 2010
Two women may share a common killer
Napa Valley, CA -- Anita Andrews never knew Michele Wallace. But these two strangers in life
may have had a killer in common. Roy Melanson, 73, is in prison for
killing Wallace in Colorado in August of 1974, nearly two months after
Andrews was killed in Fagiani’s Cocktail Lounge in Napa.
March 21, 2010
Suspect in Bethel cold case waives extradition
Danbury, CT -- The suspect in the cold case murder of a Bethel contractor has waived extradition
and will be coming back to Connecticut. Donald Gregory Krauth, 49,
will be charged with felony murder in the strangulation slaying of
58-year-old Charles Cromwell in the victim's Milwaukee Avenue home
in 1992.
March 18, 2010
Lisbon leaders hope to shed light on unsolved case of Marlene Padfield
Lisbon, IA -- There always have been more questions than answers in the murder of 17-year-old
Marlene Padfield back in February 1959, and Beryl O’Connor and Bob
Hill of Lisbon are determined to get to the bottom of the unsolved
case.
March 8, 2010
State unit investigates cold criminal cases
Des Moines Register -- When 8-year-old Valerie Peterson and her bike were launched into the air nearly four decades ago in a lethal
hit-and-run accident, police immediately suspected one man.
March 4, 2010
Minnesota man arrested in California cold case
WOODBURY, Minn. (AP) -- A Woodbury man is in custody in Minnesota, suspected in the killing
of his half-sister in California 22 years ago.
March 3, 2010
Cold Cases: Gone But Not Forgotten, Part 2
Cedar Rapids, IA -- KCRG TV 9 takes viewers inside the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation
Laboratories.
March 3, 2010
Investig8: The Disappearance Of Jon Lacina, Part II
AMES, Iowa -- Classmates and friends are talking about a missing Iowa State college student.
March 2, 2010
Cold Cases: Gone But Not Forgotten, Part 1
Cedar Rapids, IA -- KCRG TV 9 report featuring Iowa Cold Cases' Nancy Bowers.
March 2, 2010
Investig8: The Disappearance of Jon Lacina, Part I
AMES, Iowa -- There's now a nationwide search for missing Iowa State University student
Jon Lacina. It's been over a month since Lacina disappeared. There's
been no trace of him or his belongings.
February 25, 2010
Official: Perjury charges in cold case dismissed, "substantial" new information
ROCK RAPIDS, Iowa -- Prosecutors announced today they have dismissed perjury charges filed against
a Northwest Iowa man in connection with a cold case murder, saying
there is "substantial new information" in the investigation.
February 24, 2010
Minnesota man arrested in California cold case
WOODBURY, Minn. (AP) — A Woodbury man is in custody in Minnesota, suspected in the murder of
his half sister in California 22 years ago.
February 23, 2010
Police: Calif death-row inmate linked to cold case
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) - Authorities say DNA ties a California death row inmate convicted in the killings
of seven hikers to the unsolved 1979 slaying of a jogger in a San
Francisco park.
February 19, 2010
Reward offered in officer death cold case
ATLANTA -- Atlanta police will offer a $35,000 reward to help solve the 30-year-old
murder of a police officer.
February 15, 2010
Police: The hunt doesn't end
MUSCATINE, Iowa — Law enforcement officials say they haven’t stopped investigating a pair of
unsolved homicide cases involving two Muscatine County men whose deaths
happened more than a decade ago.
February 12, 2010
Family offers reward for information on missing ISU student
Ames, Iowa -- The parents of a missing Iowa State University student are offering a reward
of up to $10,000 for any new information that leads to the location
of their son. Jonathan (Jon) Lacina, a senior majoring in graphic
design, has been missing since Jan. 22. His parents, Tom and Alesia
Lacina, Grinnell, Iowa, announced the reward on Feb. 11.
February 12, 2010
Case Open/Closed
MUSCATINE, Iowa - It's been a long time since Mary Irick talked publicly about the murder of
her 7 1/2-month old daughter, Amber Marie Hayes, but she hopes talking
about it might encourage someone with information about the case to
come forward and put her nightmare to rest.
February 12, 2010
Iowa woman casts a wide net to catch criminals: Web site helps keep Iowa cold
cases alive
ONAWA, Iowa - Bringing up unsolved murders can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, victims'
families hope new stories and information can cut through years of
mystery and uncertainty and bring to justice the person responsible
for their loved one's murder.
February 12, 2010
Forensic Analysis: Clues Buried in Sounds and Images
Federal Bureau of Investigation: Specialists can elicit valuable evidence from audio, video, and images that
might appear to be worthless or beyond repair.
February 10, 2010
Family Still Searching For Missing Clinton Man
Clinton, IA -- It's an anniversary one family in Clinton, Iowa, would rather not have;
Benjamin Roseland disappeared two years ago on Tuesday.
February 5, 2010
Ames, IA -- Nightly vigils planned for missing ISU student
A group of Iowa State University students met beneath the campanile
Thursday night to light candles and say prayers for missing student
Jonathan Lacina.
February 2, 2010
Grand jury dusts off 31 cold cases
New York (CNN) -- On the last day of her life, Moira "Holly" Branagan, 17, was at home, talking to a friend on the phone. The high school
senior said someone was at the door. She told her friend she had to
go.
January 22, 2010
Iowa man pleads guilty to falsifying report on missing man
Chester, IA/Gillette, WY -- An Iowa man who claimed he could lead investigators to the body of a missing
Gillette, Wyoming, man has pleaded guilty to a charge of false reporting
to authorities.
January 22, 2010
Police Re-Arrest Suspect
Redlands, CA -- For the second time in six weeks, Redlands police detectives on Friday arrested
Seferina Ponce Marquez in the 1994 disappearance and killing of her
former tenant, Sarah Reyes.
January 16, 2010
After 9 years, police still seek victim's identity
BILOXI, MS -- Nine years have passed since Biloxi police investigators first started trying
to identify a man found shot to death in a wooded area off Mississippi
67 in the Woolmarket community.
January 15, 2010
Murder charge dropped for now in NC cold case
SHELBY, N.C. -- A murder charge has been dismissed in the 2003 death of a North Carolina
woman, but prosecutors say will try again to get a grand jury indictment.
January 14, 2010
Warner Robins police crack cold case
WARNER ROBINS, GA — Warner Robins police say a cold case of a missing person has been solved.
Valerie Coates, then 22, of Warner Robins, was reported missing April
9, 1988. Police now believe she was murdered in a wooded area in Pulaski
County, possibly near Hawkinsville, said Warner Robins police Capt.
Chris Rooks.
January 12, 2010
Chicago Police to Probe 70-Year-Old Slaying
CHICAGO -- He's the father of a war hero whose name is familiar to anyone who has flown
in and out of Chicago, and his death has been linked to one of the
city's most famous residents ever: Al Capone.
January 5, 2010
Cold Cases in Muscatine: Reader feedback sought
Muscatine, IA -- Have you ever wondered about unsolved murders in Muscatine? Has someone
close to you lost their life as a result of a crime that's never been
solved? The Muscatine Journal is working on a story about unsolved
crimes and the affect on the community. If you have any information,
memories to share, contact Melissa Regennitter at 563-262-0526 or mregennitter@muscatinejournal.com.
January 5, 2010
NH Vet Gets 20 Years in Maine Cold Case Killing
PORTLAND, Maine (AP) ― Nearly 24 years after her mother was strangled with a scarf while drawing
a bath, Myava Escamilla got what she wanted — the maximum penalty
for her mother's killer.
January 4, 2010
Iowa Man Sentenced in 20 Year Old Cold Case
55-year-old Wayne Leroy Everett was sentenced to 52 months in jail
on charges of third degree criminal sexual conduct for a crime he
confessed to committing back in 1989.
January 1, 2010
Missing Girl's Case Ends After 25 Years
FRUIT COVE, Fla. -- Sheriff's deputies in Florida said Friday they have solved the case of
a 12-year-old girl who disappeared nearly 25 years ago.
