Brandyn Preston
Brandyn Preston
19 YOA
1101 10th Ave.
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Date of Crime: May 8, 2011
Date of Death: January 22, 2012
Derrick J. McElroy, 26, of Fort Dodge, has been charged with first-degree murder.
On Sunday, May 8, 2011 — Mother’s Day — Brandyn Preston of Fort Dodge was shot in the neck while attending a bonfire party in the back yard at 1101 10th Ave. SW in Fort Dodge.
Webster County in Iowa
Preston, 19, was taken to Trinity Regional Medical Center just after 4 a.m. and then transferred to Iowa Methodist Hospital in Des Moines.
The bullet lodged in Preston’s spinal cord, leaving the basketball enthusiast paralyzed from the neck down and dependent on a ventilator to breathe.
Despite a number of individuals present when Brandyn Preston was shot, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Larry Hedlund said it didn’t mean they necessarily saw what happened. Nor did officials have any evidence indicating the bullet was meant for Preston. According to Hedlund, investigators felt Preston’s shooting resulted from an ongoing feud between other individuals.
Preston had been in Fort Dodge about six months, his father, Pat Preston, told the Fort Dodge Messenger in an article published September 4, 2011. After getting his GED, the 6 foot 7 Preston planned to try out for the Iowa Central Community College basketball team.
Instead, the teen ended up in a Nebraska rehabilitation center until August, 2011, when his mother, Kimberly Wood, moved him back to Tampa Bay where she could care for him.
Courtesy photo Edmund D. Fountain, Tampa Bay TimesWood and her husband, Donovan Wood, who’d raised Preston, hoped military benefits would help pay for a home nurse; Donovan Wood was an Iraq War Bronze Star recipient. But, with him now working in the private section, benefits were limited. The family finally got Medicaid to approve a home health care nurse, but was unable to find one willing to work with Preston due to the ventilator.
Kimberly Wood quit her job as a patient service representative at CVS-Caremark to care for her son full-time.
Like Lisa McCuddin, also of Fort Dodge, Preston was shot while engaged in everyday activities. McCuddin was shot on October 2, 2004, while riding in the passenger seat of a vehicle.
In efforts to encourage those with information to come forward, an anonymous donor provided Crime Stoppers with $10,000 for two $5,000 rewards for information leading to the arrests and convictions of those responsible in the McCuddin and Preston cases.
Said Fort Dodge Police Chief Tim Carmody of the rewards:
“If you know something about an incident that would get a violent person off the street and you don’t take action on that and don’t share that information, how are you going to feel when your loved one is injured as a result of their actions later?”
“You have the opportunity to prevent something like that from happening again. This is our community. We decide how it’s governed. But we have to have the participation cooperation and partnership of the citizens to make it happen.”
Officials believed witnesses were afraid to come forward out of fear of being a snitch.
Courtesy photo KCCI Channel 8 NewsThe Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation’s Special Agent Larry Hedlund said people know what happened to McCuddin the night of her shooting, but won’t come forward due to fear.
“They know who the shooter is,” Hedlund told the Messenger. “They know he’s a violent person. Justifiably, understandably, I’m sure that’s part of it,” he said. “Part of it may just be a mindset ‘we don’t cooperate with the police; we don’t snitch.’”
Knowing something and being able to prove it in a court of law is a whole different standard, Carmody said, which is why they need help from those who know what happened. That information makes up the extra puzzle pieces they need to put the whole picture together. They hope the rewards might persuade those who know something to come forward it both McCuddin’s and Preston’s cases.
Officials stressed that informants need not identify him- or herself. Tips can be texted or submitted through Crime Stoppers.
On Sunday, January 22, 2012 Brandyn Preston passed away in Tampa, Florida, where his family had taken him for longterm care.
Fort Dodge Police Chief Tim Carmody said in a press release about Preston’s death:
“Our condolences go out to Brandy’s family and friends. We are confident that there are those in our community that have specific information that would help us to provide closure for Brandy’s family and friends and to get the suspect(s) off the streets.”
“As you may or may not know, the Webster County Crime Stoppers has posted a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible in this case. It is the hope of the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Webster County Attorney’s Office, the Fort Dodge Police Department and our community that if the $5,000 Crime Stoppers reward doesn’t motivate those who know the truth to do the right thing, perhaps the memory of Brandyn Preston will.”
Said Hedlund about Preston’s death: “It’s a tragic waste of life that shouldn’t have happened. It’s a tragedy for him, and a tragedy for his family.”
Brandyn Preston was born in Rolla, Missouri, on October 25, 1991, and grew up with his mother and stepfather. He was a basketball standout while attending Waynesville High School in Missouri, before moving to Tampa where he attended East Bay and Robinson High School.
He was Baptist by Faith.
In 2011, he made what his mother, Kimberly Wood, called a “personal journey” back to Iowa to learn more about his biological father and his father’s side of the family. There, he not only found his father, but his paternal grandmother and half-siblings.
He is survived by his loving mother Kimberly & Donovan Wood of Tampa; father, Patrick Preston and Valerie Newsome of Ft. Dodge, Iowa; sisters Brittany, Samantha, Tayloren and A’Jianna; brothers Christopher, Patrick, Deshawn, Anthony, Kameron, Kaden, Kayden, Jacori, and Nick; maternal grandparents Cheryl and Martin Wendel, Lawrence Wood and Diane Wood-Medley; paternal grandmother Mattie Preston; and aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by Lemon B. Preston and Eugene Preston.
Visitation was February 3, 2012 at Brewer & Sons Funeral Home, 3328 S. Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa, from 4 – 6 p.m., with services at 6 p.m.
If you have any information regarding Brandyn Preston’s murder, please contact the Fort Dodge Police Detective Steve Hanson at (515) 573-1426, Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Agent Jim Thiele at (515) 972-4100, or Crime Stoppers at (515) 573-1444. You may also submit a tip online at www.wccrimestoppers.com, text “LEC” with the tip to CRIMES (274637), or direct your information to Iowa Cold Cases via our Contact form.
Lisa McCudden
Lisa Ann McCuddin
23 YOA
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
October 2, 2004
Webster County in IowaOn October 2, 2004, Lisa Ann McCuddin was shot and killed while riding as a passenger in a vehicle on its way to a Fort Dodge, Iowa, motel.
Officials initially were called to Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge where a man had gone after reporting being shot at the Holiday Inn. But when police got to the Holiday Inn to investigate the shooting, a car pulled into the parking lot driven by a man who said he and a female passenger had just been shot while driving to the hotel.
The driver, 29-year-old Fred Murray, and 23-year-old McCuddin were taken to the hospital, where McCuddin died. Murray was treated and released for minor injuries. The first gunshot victim, Isaac Givens, 23, told police a man wielding a gun at the hotel earlier that night shot him in the shoulder when he tried to run. Givens also was treated and released.
WHO-TV Channel 13′s Aaron Brilbeck reports on the unsolved murder of Lisa McCuddin. Air date: July 15, 2010
Police later said the two shooting incidents were related and believed it started when a fight broke out after a dance at the Fort Dodge Eagles Lodge; some of the people involved in the fight were later involved in the shootings.
On October 22, a judge agreed to the Fort Dodge Police Department’s request to jail a potential witness, Morquette Jackson, 19, on a material witness warrant.
The following Monday, October 25, police arrested two more men — Jimmy Dilliard, Jr., 20, and Darrin Foy, 20, both of Fort Dodge — and charged them with aiding and abetting. Morquette Jackson was then charged with attempted murder, willful injury, going armed with intent and rioting. All three were held in the Webster County Jail with bail set at $58,500.
A fourth man, Draper McDonald, 27, also of Fort Dodge, was arrested in November and on Nov. 19 charged with aiding and abetting attempted murder, aiding and abetting willful injury, and aiding and abetting going armed with intent in connection with the first shooting that injured Isaac Givens. Police said the shooting was linked to the shooting that killed McCuddin, but that the charges against McDonald were unrelated to McCuddin’s shooting.
Lisa Ann McCuddin’s case remains open and the investigation is ongoing.
Courtesy photo Becky McCuddinWebster County Crime Stoppers, Fort Dodge Police and Lisa’s family have joined forces to bring Lisa’s killer to justice, and are offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons involved in her death.
Lisa Ann McCuddin was born October 6, 1980, the daughter of Mark Alan and Rebecca (Dahl) McCuddin in Sioux City, IA. She graduated from the Fort Dodge Senior High School, loved children, and at the time of her death was employed at the PS Academy for Children.
Her interests included swimming and listening to music, and she loved spending time with her two children, her many friends and all of her family.
Courtesy photo Becky McCuddinShe was survived by her two children, Markasia Cabbell and Davontrez Tyson, her parents, Becky (Buck Boring) McCuddin of Fort Dodge, Mark (Vicki) McCuddin of Sioux City, two sisters, Jennifer McCuddin and Contessa Stotz of Fort Dodge, one brother, Jason Hoogland-Boring of Fort Dodge, one step sister, Mandi Porsch of Sioux City, a grandmother, Delores McCuddin of Sioux City, a great-grandfather, Arthur Crabtree of Portsmouth, Ohio, seven aunts, five uncles, one niece and five nephews. She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Robert and Rose Dahl, and Eldon McCuddin.
In a July 2007 MySpace blog post, Jennifer McCuddin made an appeal to those her sister once called “friends,” urging them to come forward and report to police what knowledge they have about Lisa’s death. In August 2007 Jennifer posted information about the reward and provided Agent Hedlund’s contact information, and in April 2009 posted a link to the Webster County Crime Stoppers site where readers could get more information about her sister’s case.
If you have any information concerning this case, please contact the Fort Dodge police at 515-573-1426, Crime Stoppers at 515-573-1444 or toll free 1-800-542-9702, or contact Agent Larry Hedlund at 515-571-0880 or by e-mail at hedlund@dps.state.ia.us.
Webster County in Iowa
Fort Dodge in Webster County
Homicide
William Freimuth
71 YOA
Case # 61-00355
Fort Dodge, Iowa
Webster County
February 16, 1962
William Freimuth, a 71-year-old Fort Dodge service station attendant, was shot in the back of the head shortly after 8 p.m. on February 16, 1962, by a gunman who took $140 from the cash register.
Angela Marie Altman
Homicide
Angela Marie Altman
22 YOA
215 S. 7th Street
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Case # 81-00528
January 24, 1981
On January 24, 1981, 22-year-old Angela Marie Altman bled to death from stab wounds in her Fort Dodge residence. A juvenile was charged in the death but was never prosecuted.
Marvin Brandland
Homicide
Marvin C. Brandland
69 YOA
Ninth Ave. South
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Case # 82-05814
October 30, 1982
On October 30, 1982, Marvin Brandland, 69, was confronted at his Fort Dodge, Iowa, home by a masked “trick-or-treater” brandishing a gun who said “Trick or treat. Give me your money or I’ll shoot.” Believing it was a Halloween prank, Brandland reached for the gun and was shot by the masked man.
Sandra Vanderhoef
Missing Person
Sandra S. Vanderhoef
Age at Report: 42
Missing From Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Missing Since: September 22, 1986
Sandra Vanderhoef was reported missing to the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on September 22, 1986.
Bertha Mae Foy: 1969-1987
Homicide
Bertha Mae Foy
18 YOA
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
August 9, 1987
Bertha Mae Foy was killed in Fort Dodge on August 9, 1987. Two men were questioned in her murder, but neither were ever charged.
Lisa McCuddin
Homicide
Lisa Ann McCuddin
23 YOA
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
October 2, 2004
On October 2, 2004, Lisa Ann McCuddin was shot and killed while riding as a passenger in a vehicle on its way to a Fort Dodge, Iowa, motel. Officials initially were called to Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge where a man had gone after reporting being shot at the Holiday Inn. But when police got to the Holiday Inn to investigate the shooting, a car pulled into the parking lot driven by a man who said he and a female passenger had just been shot while driving to the hotel.
Gregory Howell
Missing Person
Gregory J. Howell
Age at Report: 44
Missing From: Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Missing Since: January 1, 2005
Gregory Howell was reported missing to Fort Dodge Police on New Year’s Day 2005.
Roberto Guerra
Missing Person
Roberto J. Guerra
Age at Report: 44
Missing From: Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Missing Since: October 16, 2007
Roberto J. Guerra was reported missing to the Fort Dodge Police on October 16, 2007.
Brandyn Preston
Homicide
Brandyn Preston
19 YOA
1101 10th Ave.
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Date of Crime: May 8, 2011
Date of Death: January 22, 2012
On Sunday, May 8, 2011 — Mother’s Day — Brandyn Preston of Fort Dodge was shot in the neck while attending a bonfire party in the back yard at 1101 10th Ave. SW in Fort Dodge. He died on January 22, 2012, in Florida where his mother was caring for him.
Missing Person
Christopher M. Glaser
Age at Report: 24
Weight: 170 lbs.
Height: 5’09″
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Sex: Male
Incident Type: Disability — physical / mental
Missing From: Webster County, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Missing Since: March 2, 2012
Christopher Glaser was reported missing to the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on March 2, 2012. He has a tattoo on his left shoulder and his right shoulder.
Webster County in Iowa
*Please Note: The cases listed below are within Webster County but may fall under a city police department’s jurisdiction. They are included here for cross-reference purposes. More specific information may be found on each victim’s individual page.
Homicide
William Freimuth
71 YOA
Case # 61-00355
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
February 16, 1962
William Freimuth, a 71-year-old Fort Dodge service station attendant, was shot in the back of the head shortly after 8 p.m. on February 16, 1962, by a gunman who took $140 from the cash register.
Homicide
Douglas Alan Nielsen
Humboldt, IA
Webster County
Case # 74-00512
October 17, 1974
On October 17, 1974, Douglas Nielsen was shot and killed during a house party in Humboldt, Iowa.
Angela Marie Altman
Homicide
Angela Marie Altman
22 YOA
215 S. 7th Street
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Case # 81-00528
January 24, 1981
On January 24, 1981, 22-year-old Angela Marie Altman bled to death from stab wounds in her Fort Dodge residence. A juvenile was charged in the death but was never prosecuted.
Marvin Brandland
Homicide
Marvin C. Brandland
69 YOA
Ninth Ave. South
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Case # 82-05814
October 30, 1982
On October 30, 1982, Marvin Brandland, 69, was confronted at his Fort Dodge, Iowa, home by a masked “trick-or-treater” brandishing a gun who said “Trick or treat. Give me your money or I’ll shoot.” Believing it was a Halloween prank, Brandland reached for the gun and was shot by the masked man.
Sandra Vanderhoef
Missing Person
Sandra S. Vanderhoef
Age at Report: 42
Missing From: Webster County, IA
Missing Since: September 22, 1986
Sandra Vanderhoef was reported missing to the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Dodge on September 22, 1986.
Bertha Mae Foy: 1969-1987
Homicide
Bertha Mae Foy
18 YOA
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
August 9, 1987
Bertha Mae Foy was killed in Fort Dodge on August 9, 1987. Two men were questioned in her murder, but neither was charged.
Lisa McCuddin
Homicide
Lisa Ann McCuddin
23 YOA
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
October 2, 2004
On October 2, 2004, Lisa Ann McCuddin was shot and killed while riding as a passenger in a vehicle on its way to a Fort Dodge motel. Officials initially were called to Trinity Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge where a man had gone after reporting being shot at the Holiday Inn. But when police got to the Holiday Inn to investigate the shooting, a car pulled into the parking lot driven by a man who said he and a female passenger had just been shot while driving to the hotel.
Greg Howell
Missing Person
Gregory J. Howell
Age at Report: 44
Missing From: Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Missing Since: January 1, 2005
Gregory Howell was reported missing to the Fort Dodge Police Department on January 1, 2005.
Roberto Guerra
Missing Person
Roberto J. Guerra
Age at Report: 44
Missing From: Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Missing Since: October 16, 2007
Roberto J. Guerra was reported missing to the Fort Dodge Police on October 16, 2007.
Brandyn Preston
Homicide
Brandyn Preston
19 YOA
1101 10th Ave.
Fort Dodge, IA
Webster County
Date of Crime: May 8, 2011
Date of Death: January 22, 2012
On Sunday, May 8, 2011 — Mother’s Day — Brandyn Preston of Fort Dodge was shot in the neck while attending a bonfire party in the back yard at 1101 10th Ave. SW in Fort Dodge. He died on January 22, 2012, in Florida where his mother was caring for him.
Missing Person
Christopher M. Glaser
Age at Report: 24
Weight: 170 lbs.
Height: 5’09″
Race: White
Hair: Brown
Eyes: Blue
Sex: Male
Incident Type: Disability — physical / mental
Missing From: Webster County, IA
Fort Dodge, IA
Missing Since: March 2, 2012
Christopher Glaser was reported missing to the Webster County Sheriff’s Office in Fort Dodge, Iowa, on March 2, 2012. He has a tattoo on his left shoulder and his right shoulder.
This list may not fully reflect all cases where rewards are currently being offered. If you are aware of a reward for information on a case not listed above (or a reward that has been withdrawn), please send details to jody@iowacoldcases.org.
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