Bill and Kay WoodCourtesy photo KCCI Channel 8 Des Moines
Bill and Kaidena Wood, married just three years.

 

Bill and Kay Wood

Homicide and Missing Person Case

NAME: James William “Bill” Wood (Homicide)
AGE: 79
CRIME LOCATION: 2698 Highway R-63
Norwalk, IA
Warren County
DCI CASE NUMBER:
2011-044536
CRIME DATE:
July 30, 2011

NAME: Kaidena “Kay” Lozelle Wood (Missing)
AGE:
72
DOB:
January 16, 1939
MISSING FROM:
2698 Highway R-63
Norwalk, IA
Warren County
HEIGHT:
5’02”
WEIGHT:
128 lbs.
EYES:
Blue
SEX:
Female
HAIR:
Gray or Partially Gray
SCARS/MARKS:
Vertical abdominal scar
PROSTHETICS:
Hearing aids in both ears
WARREN COUNTY CASE NUMBER:
11M0878
DCI CASE NUMBER:
2011-044536
NamUs MP #
11855
INCIDENT TYPE:
Involuntary disappearance/suspected homicide
MISSING SINCE:
July 30, 2011

 

Case Summary compiled by Jody Ewing

Late on Saturday night, July 30, 2011, the home of Bill and Kay Wood of rural Norwalk, Iowa, was destroyed by fire. Around midnight and into early Sunday morning, five fire departments responded to 2698 Highway R-63 in Greenfield Township just south of Des Moines’ city limits and the Des Moines International Airport.

The fire extinguished, the couple were nowhere to be found. They’d last been seen midmorning Saturday at an auction house in Stuart, Iowa. An auction flyer depicted a number of pricey items — everything from old guns and diamonds to Indian artifacts and fancy furniture.

Courtesy photo KCCI Des Moines
The Wood’s red Chevy pickup turned up at a Kansas City, Mo., apartment complex the day after the fire.

On Sunday, July 31, 2011, Bill and Kay’s red Chevrolet Silverado pickup turned up at a ritzy apartment complex in Kansas City, Missouri. Witnesses told detectives they’d seen the man with the pickup, and described him as being in his late 40s to early 60s with a slender build, short gray and white hair, and between 6 feet 2 inches and 6 feet 6 inches tall.

That same day, officials discovered a body amongst the charred remains of the couple’s home.

DCI agents began going door to door to question neighbors Monday morning, August 1, 2011, and Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent in Charge Michael Motsinger announced Monday afternoon that the body found was burned too badly to be identified during an autopsy conducted that afternoon.

DNA testing would be done to see if the body was that of Bill or Kay Wood.

Motsinger also said the fire had been termed suspicious, something the community already suspected.

Warren County in Iowa
Warren County in Iowa
 
Norwalk in Warren CountyNorwalk in Warren County

Two hundred miles south, authorities sought out the “person of interest” seen at the Kansas City apartment building. Bill and Kay’s relatives and a number of volunteers spent days searching the area surrounding the Wood’s home.

Young at Heart and In Love

Prior to their marriage, Bill and Kay had both been widowed. They’d just celebrated their third wedding anniversary July 14 — only 16 days before Bill’s death and Kay’s disappearance.

Family members described them as deeply in love, often holding hands like teenagers.

They’d chosen to live in Bill’s home in rural Norwalk south of Des Moines, which quickly filled up with mementoes of each of their lives. Kay — who’d worked at Dahl’s grocery store on Fleur Drive — collected china dolls. Bill, a retired ironworker currently employed with J.W. Perry, Inc. in Des Moines, kept a 1940s gas pump in the front yard and also had a Model A Ford he drove in parades.

J.W. Perry General Manager Andrew Knott told KCCI that Wood’s co-workers were “somber,” and said the fact that Wood was about to turn 80 told a lot about him. “The fact that he’s still working at his age,” Knott said.

Co-workers had planned a surprise 80th birthday party for Bill, scheduled for the following weekend. Bill would have turned 80 years old August 5.

Devastating News
Bill Wood (Courtesy David Dearinger)

Bill Wood (Courtesy David Dearinger)

On Friday, August 19, 2011, the Iowa Department of Public Safety announced in a press release that the body found in the home had been positively identified as that of Bill Wood.

Autopsy reports showed Wood died of multiple gunshot wounds, though he was not shot in the head as an initial press release stated.

When DCI agents informed family members of their findings that Friday morning, Bill Wood’s brother Henry Wood told KCCI that everyone broke down.

“It’s one thing to think it, but it’s another when somebody comes out and says this is what happened,” Bill Wood said. Wood said it also hurt to hear his brother died in such a violent way.

“It really hurt to think, you know, somebody shot my brother,” he said in the KCCI interview. “Now we know that he was shot, I guess we find some comfort in that that would be better than burning. We hope it was quick. We hope it was painless.”

Kay Wood (Courtesy Iowa Dept. of Public Safety)

Kay Wood (Courtesy Iowa Dept. of Public Safety)

Wood said the family would never have closure until Kay was found.

In his comments to the press, DCI Agent Motsinger said officers working the investigation were continuing their efforts to locate her.

“We remain hopeful a suspect will be found and encourage anyone with information to contact DCI or the Warren County Sheriff’s Office,” Motsinger said.

Kay’s daughter Patty Shaw expressed the family’s lost hope after the DCI announced the findings.

“I think in our hearts we were hoping they were together just because you want that,” said Shaw. “If they’re going to go, you want them to be together.”

“He liked nice stuff”

Three weeks after the fire, why questions continued to plague the couple’s family. They explored possible scenarios related to the Stuart auction.

“I think there is a really big chance that something happened in Stuart,” Henry Wood told KCCI in a story that aired Aug. 22. “Bill probably has some antiques that are very rare. He liked nice stuff. He probably had expensive stuff. If he found something he wanted, he bought it.”

Person of interest in Bill and Kay Wood caseCourtesy photo DCI / KCCI Des Moines
Witnesses told detectives they’d seen a man with the Wood’s pickup, and described him as being in his late 40s to early 60s with a slender build, and short gray and white hair.

The family wondered if Bill and Kay’s love for expensive antiques somehow may have contributed to Bill’s death and Kay’s disappearance.

“Just somebody there that may have seen that they bought something expensive or they could’ve even been talking to somebody and mentioned what they have,” Bill Wood’s sister, Carolyn Harkin, told KCCI. “It has to be a robbery of some sort.”

Family members went to the Stuart City Hall where they posted sketches of the man police said was seen walking away from the Wood’s pick-up in Kansas City. The Iowa DCI still didn’t know the man’s identity.

A month dragged on with many unanswered questions.

Maintaining hope

The couple’s families told KCCI on Tuesday, Sept. 20, 2011 that they’re doing what they can to not get caught up in the rumors surrounding the case.

“We have to continue to be focused and as composed as we possibly can be so we can hear everything that’s happening, see everything that’s happening…so that if someone does call we don’t get caught up in that call,” said Kay’s daughter, Lisa Harris.

Harris said she and her siblings are determined to find their mother and bring her home, regardless of whether it is to get her medical attention or to give her a proper burial.

They wait.

Reward Offered

On Monday, Oct. 10, 2011, the Wood’s families held a press conference announcing a reward fund they’d established. They hope a reward might motivate someone to come forward with information. The fund consists of both cash donations and pledges payable upon conviction.

If you would like to donate, visit woodrewardfund.com.

About James “Bill” Wood

James William “Bill” Wood, Sr., was born Aug. 5, 1931, in Spring Hill, Warren County, Iowa, to James F. and Grace L. (Williams) Wood.

He served as a Private Second Class with the US Army during the Korean War.

He died at his Norwalk, Iowa home Sunday, July 31, 2011, and his death ruled a homicide.

bill-and-kay-wood-headstone-findagraveCourtesy photo RH, findagrave.com
Bill is buried in Webb Cemetery in Norwalk, Iowa.

Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m., Friday, August 26 at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with burial following in the Webb Cemetery in rural Norwalk.

Those left to cherish his memory are his wife, Kay Wood; children, Mary (Steve) Garr of Bussey, IA, Jim (Dee) Wood of Marana, AZ, Doris (Ross) Allen of Libertyville, IA, Grace (Wes) Bonnett of Bussey, John (Tracie) Wood of Indianola, Melonie (Doug) Wood and Billy (Amee) Wood all of Des Moines; step-children, Mark Warywoda and Leann Warywoda both of Des Moines, Cathy (David) Neumann of Maine, Patty (Rod) Shaw of Des Moines, Rodney (Erica) Harris and David Harris both of Maine, Aleisa Harris of Des Moines and Mike Harrris of Spring Hill; 21 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; siblings, Glen (Marcia) Wood, Bob (Vicki) Wood, Marie Wilkens, Zelda (Doug) Dyer, Howard (Linda) Wood, Carolyn (Mark) Harkin and Henry (Jan) Wood.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Marylyn Wood; parents, Jim and Grace Wood; sister, Rosemary Jones; and grandson, LeRoy Benge.

Visitation was held from 4 to 8 p.m. Thursday, August 25, at Overton Funeral Home in Indianola with family present from 6 to 8 p.m. Memorials may be given to Mercy Hospice.

*Obituary courtesy Overton Funeral Home

Information Needed

Anyone with information concerning Bill Wood’s unsolved homicide or Kaidena Wood’s disappearance is asked to call Det. Sgt. Mike Morrison at the Warren County Sheriff’s Office at (515) 961-1122, or Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation Special Agent Mike Rowe at (641) 342-6263.

Sources:

 

Copyright © 2024 Iowa Cold Cases, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

 

94 Responses to Bill and Kay Wood

  1. Warren County Wonder says:

    These folks lived down by my family farm it’s so messed up this hasn’t been solved.
    Goes to show how much Warren County can depend on the sheriff….

  2. brad greene says:

    I know who killed Bill and Kay Wood. I’ve tried numerous times to contact the Indianola police dept and the dci but noone will return my calls. I would like to get this case solved so the family can have some closure. I know if it was my family member I would. I want these criminals off the streets before they do it again. Someone please contact me Brad Greene email brdgreene@gmail.com phone 515-480-5723 call or text.

  3. Abbey eslinger says:

    I have tried to reach out to who I can. I feel maybe nothing had been done since I was never contacted for more info/leads. When I first got my info, not too long after this horrific night, I immediately called the police. Still nothing. Less than 6mo ago I gave info to I believe a grand daughter, but no one contacted me still. I’m not sure what’s going on. The mouth I heard it from was supposedly there that night and witnessed/contributed to this crime.
    Abbey Eslinger

    • Brandi Weber says:

      Contact Melonie, patty, or I, we will take your info and give/ask detectives. And I say ask because we tell them info and give them contact information to contact source, but unfortunately because it is an ope. Case we don’t always get an answer on the tip….but I know we want this solved, we want to have justice for William and Grandma, and we want to be able to bring her home!

    • Patty Shaw says:

      Abbey, my email is ps2467@yahoo.com you can contact me there or work phone is 847-777-2647

  4. LakeLife says:

    Praying they are able to find his wife!

    • Patty says:

      Here we are almost to the 12 year mark. I can honestly say I was hoping this would all be over by now. Why we can’t get this case solved is frustrating as hell. Someone knows what happened and who did this…please step up and help get us answers to why…….

  5. Patrick Kerrigan says:

    I have a few questions. They were last seen at an auction in Stuart. It makes me wonder if they purchased something, that someone wanted really badly and was outbid. Maybe it was something they might have sold at that auction.

    Then we have their truck stolen and then dumped 200 miles away. Which seem a long way to drive a vehicle and dump it. Also, I wonder what route they may have taken to get from Norwalk, to Kansas City. Such as taking Interstate-35 or U.S. Highway 69. It might be that Kay, body was dumped along the way.

    But, why take her along. Was it someone they knew and trusted, and if they truck was seen by driven by a stranger might have attracted attention. But. If she was along for the ride, it would be okay.

    Another question is does the auction house, have any clients in Kansa City, that they might send them a flyer about the auction.

    • Brandi Weber says:

      These are all good questions that we asked back when this all began. Unfortunately we have little to no information. William’s truck did have on star but what they have found from that we do not know. The dci did go to auction house but no information of what came of that has been shared. We have gotten vague timelines as to when they left the auction (sometime around its ending) when the truck arrived at the apartment complex in Missouri. (Late afternoon early evening) and the fire started around 11 pm…….most of what we have are rumours, and not very many answers or updates from the DCI…..William was shot multiple times, whoever did this to them is still out there. They deserve justice and we the family deserve answers….Thank you all who are helping keep this alive with questions, sharing the story or fliers on Facebook etc. And even for the theories and questions I disagree with! (My grandmother did not do this to William she too is a victim) but I understand speculating and wondering and as upsetting as it is to see that too keeps their story out there. So again Thank You!

      • Magicgem says:

        My sincere condolences on the loss of your mother Kay and William. I am just learning of this case. Could you please tell me if your uncle Ross Allen has any relation to Richard Matthew Allen? Thank you.

  6. Cathy Neumann says:

    I have been reading through all of the comments regarding William and Kay Wood. I am the oldest child of Kay. She has six children three live in Iowa and three live in Maine. I live in Maine and I can tell you it is very difficult for us to believe that we still have no information regarding the disappearance of our mother. I see lot of posting regarding William. He was a wonderful man and so good to my mother. They visited me in Maine once a year and would have been making the annual trip after William’s birthday. Although sad William’s family has some closure as they have their father’s body. We have nothing, we have no closure. All we are asking at this time is to find out where our mother is so that we can have some closure. Find her and worry about who did it later. I have started letter writing to Warren County Sheriff Dept. regarding the case as they are handling the case. It is very confusing as to who is doing what sometimes I don’t know if the right hand knows what the left is doing, but I keep hoping that they come up with something. Don’t want this to be a cold case. If you know anything about where to find our mother please, please let someone know

    • Melonie L. Wood says:

      I believe you are right. Although we all would love closure as to who and why. Knowing what happened to To Kay should be top of the list. We both lost the people we loved that night. But we only know what happened to my father and were able to lay him to rest. I’ve never stopped thinking about Kay or wondering if it may be possible to lay her to rest also. We all need answers. Please believe me when I say my heart feels your pain and your loss. This case needs to be re opened.

  7. Meaghan Pike says:

    The Auction company should be a place to really scope out. I used to date the owner’s son who is in prison now, and would work for his Dad when we dated to help set up auctions and help them run and pack up. At that point in time, I was a drug addict and all the help he hired to help at auctions were troubled people that were paid under the table. I also live in Stuart and have of course heard the gossip and the names people suspected. Since gossip is always a mixed bag of credible and not credible, you listen but don’t believe everything you hear. But all the names mentioned around town were people that had worked for the auction house, and their acquaintances. I hope they find Kay, and the killer/killers and give the family a small measure of justice.

  8. Dee says:

    This person of interest looks like Nick wood!

  9. JAKE says:

    It’s almost April 2020 and no leads; no arrests; no justice; no nothing!
    I remember hearing about this and thinking it must have been someone out of state. I couldn’t remember any other robberies / home invasions / murders that happened before or after this incident. The person or persons who done it had to be watching them for a while. I bet he even made, at least, 1 visit to the home to scope it out. I don’t know, but now it’s been 8-9 years later — does the DCI have any better possibilities?
    I remember the video of the guy getting out of the stolen truck in Kansas City. Ok, did they check for ANY DNA? Did they find anything?? This makes me think there was more than 1 person involved. How did the guy get to their house? If they met at this Stuart Auction – any close surveillance cameras? Showing video of Bill & Kay’s vehicle with the same vehicle (suspicious) behind them?
    It’s just so hard for me to believe that the DCI has no leads or any new news in the past several years.
    I feel sorry for that family. I can’t even imagine. I hope the DCI is speaking with them every once in a while — even just to say they have no new leads; does anyone have anything new to share that they remember; or simply how are you guys doing? Would be a nice gesture that they care and are still actively pursuing this case.
    I hope to turn on the news one day, and this mystery is found to be solved.

    • Tornado_Jay_Tee07 says:

      I am sure this case is listed everywhere – but I am going to make sure it’s listed everywhere! My goodness…The DCI….. **SIGH**

      Tornado_Jay_Tee07 or JAKE

    • Cheryl says:

      Just saw 48 hours and the case of Isreal Reyes. Someone like this would explain why there have been no leads. This murderer committed suicide before they could identify all the people he killed. He had no pattern.

  10. Jocelyn says:

    I hope they interviewed people at the auction. Seems to me someone may be going to specific auctions, watching buyers and later stalking and robbing people who are vulnerable. Very sorry for the family.

  11. Kim says:

    Even when it happened, after a certain number of months it gets classified as a cold case due to the fact that unless it’s solved within the first 48 hours, the likelihood that it will get solved diminishes greatly, thus the term “cold case”. This term in no way should be construed to mean that they will stop following up on leads etc. It does mean that the likelihood of attaining things such as physical evidence drops considerably after even just 48 hours.

    • Chris says:

      That’s not accurate AT ALL. It’s not considered “cold” until leads dry up to almost nothing.

      • Kim says:

        Quoting an online dictionary:
        “A cold case is an unsolved criminal investigation which remains open pending the discovery of new evidence.”
        From Wikipedia:
        “A cold case is a crime, or a suspected crime, that has not yet been fully resolved and is not the subject of a current criminal investigation, but for which new information could emerge from new witness testimony, re-examined archives, new or retained material evidence, or fresh activities of a suspect. New technological methods developed after the crime was committed can be used on the surviving evidence to analyse causes, often with conclusive results.”

  12. Patty says:

    Still looking for answers

  13. Patty says:

    So frustrated with no answers for Mom & William! There seems to be no help for us. I dont think DCI is doing a damn thing on this case. I dont like that we have no guidance and no real communication. I sometimes feel that they dont give a shit about the family left behind. Even more important, is it because they were elderly or do they have something to hide.
    Kay & William deserve better than this!!!!!

    • Melonie Wood says:

      Patty. Not a day goes by i dont think about them. I read so many different unsolved cases almost daily that have happened in iowa. Alot of elderly.. Seeing alot of cold cases solved recently but not there.. Alot gets brushed under the rug and my heart breaks.. So much was out there for them to follow. I dont believe it should have come to a dead end.. Dad and kay were killed on my youngest daughters birthday. So to us it is always a day of heartbreak. Instead of celebration. We need closure… I pray that some day it will ne our turn..

      • Patty says:

        I know, Melonie…it is just so very unfair to Mom & William…they really do deserve better than what we have received from DCI and the gang. I know had this been one of their loved ones they’d have this case solved so fast but since it was just an elderly couple, they dont care. Well, I care and I know the rest of the family for both care. Why do we have to fight so hard to have them do their damn job.

        • Melonie Wood says:

          I dont know.. I keep hoping there is something or somebody that has a better idea. We need the case opened again. Something isnt being said. Ive always wondered about those unsolved cases shows.

  14. Helen says:

    Seven years with no publicly known advancements in this case makes me ill. What happened to Kay and Bill broke my heart from its beginning 7 years ago and still does. I cannot imagine Kay’s terror and that horror remains because my age and gender are so similar. I have had this case on Google email alerts for years so that I stayed updated on developments.

    The long silence on this case is frustrating because we don’t know if stems from the beginnings of investigative policy to not share information, or if it is from a total lack of leads. Then there is a trend that my mind is conflicted about: our society’s lack of regard for the elderly. As an example, I was angered during this last winter’s flu epidemic that states and the CDC did not track hospitalizations and death rates among the elderly. My mind struggles with the seeming societal logic of that and a personal belief in each person’s value regardless of age. The length of time Bill and Kay’s family waited for autopsy results was among the initial aspects of this case that was appalling to me.

    I have tried on several occasions to bring some light on this case; most recently with a YouTube channel that focuses on cold cases. That channel has 354,000 subscribers, but it again seems to not see merit in Kay and Bill’s case.

    To the family, and those who loved Kay and Bill, my heart and prayers remain with you.

  15. Melonie Wood says:

    It is once again the upcoming anniversary of my father and stepmothers deaths. Also their grandaughter malinda jos 14th birthday. Every year i pray something new has been found. Please God let this come to rest. And bring us some closure. .. I love you… Melonie

  16. Mindy says:

    IT’S BEEN ALMOST 7 YEARS GRANDPA! IT’S BEEN REALLY HARD WITH OUT YOU! NEXT WEEK I’LL BE 14!! BUT THAT WILL ALSO BE THE SAME DAY IT’S BEEN 7 YEARS WITH OUT YOU…. I’VE GROWN INTO A STRONG YOUNG WOMEN AND HAVE LEARNED SO MUCH IN LIFE. THINGS WERE SO TUFF GROWING UP AND I KNOW IF I WERE TO HAVE YOU EVERYTHING WOULD HAVE BEEN A BIT EASIER. I KNOW WRITING HERE DOESN’T CHANGE ANYTHING BUT IT TAKES A BIT OF THINGS OFF MY SHOULDERS. I HATE THE MAN WHO DID THIS. I TRULY AND DEEPLY DO. I WANT YOU BACK SO GOSH DARN BAD. IT’S SUCKS YOU’RE NOT AROUND. SO MUCH CRAP HAS HAPPENED. BUT I THANK YOU FOR THE YEARS I HAD WITH YOU AND ALL THE MEMORIES I HAVE TO CHERISH I LOVE YOU GRANDPA- with all love your grand daughter Malinda wood

  17. jumma mubarak images says:

    love you aunt kay and uncle bill, reading this article breaks my heart. :(

    jumma mubarak images

  18. jumma mubarak says:

    Can’t believe after all this time that adam Schumacher hasn’t been investigated

  19. atif says:

    I think they made a segment into a film already

    THE BEAST OF BODMIN MOOR

  20. Jim Farrell says:

    I notice there is an “about” section for Bill but not one for Kay. What more can we know about her? It states they were widows when they met but that is all that is given.

  21. Tim says:

    I have heard throught the grapevine that the policehave been informed of who done it, gave the person who informed them alie detector test(which was passed), yet the police are doing nothing about it. Throughanother story its rumered that one of the people being accused has people in “authority” thatdoes her”bidding”. Meaning they let her do ANYTHING she wants. Furthermore, they arrest anyo e she tells them too. Shes got the freedom to kill someone or have someone thrown in jail. Which ever she feelslike doing.

    • Hector says:

      You are right about it…I talked to them too…I had 411 about it …and detectives looked like if they did not care a bit…is there a number where a family member can be contacted…

  22. Patrick Kerrigan says:

    The thought I had was that this information should be shared with the people connected with Antique Roadshow. Also the same with other businesses that conduct antique auctions. Since there has been a another murder of a couple involved in antiques.

  23. Jo says:

    I can’t believe it’s been nearly six years

    I remember the day I was told. It was two days after my brothers birthday. It was the night/morning after his party and I have the last card they gave to anybody in our family. I went through middle and high school remembering the pain and thinking through this. It still breaks my heart that somebody would do something this heinous and that it could’ve been because of some stupid auction.

    I just want closure. Even if My great-grandma Kay is dead, and we can’t talk to her again, I just want to know what happened. The pain and speculation hurts and it messes people up. It messes families up and it makes mental health work.

    I love them so much. I miss them so much.

    I will go into my Senior year with pain in my heart that they can’t see me achieve my dreams like they wanted to.

    And they they can’t see my brother do that either.

    • Jody Ewing says:

      Jo, I’m so sorry your great-grandparents’ case remains unsolved and so many questions have gone unanswered. It’s a terribly heavy burden to bear, especially not knowing what happened to your great-grandma or the “whys” behind these crimes.

      Please enter your senior year with confidence and determination to still achieve the goals and dreams you set out to achieve. (And this includes your brother.) These are “your” dreams – your lives – and they matter every much as your great-grandparents’ lives mattered. Don’t give up on seeing justice service in this heinous crime, but don’t let those responsible get away with destroying even more lives by holding you back.

      Investigators have never given up on solving this case, and just because they’ve made no arrests doesn’t mean they don’t know who did it and aren’t working to make charges stick once they’re filed. They get only that one chance. Anyone who’s lost a loved one knows it alters our perception of the world in which we live, but it doesn’t mean you can’t still live yours to its fullest potential, just as those now gone would have wished.

      My deepest condolences to all your family members.

    • SCNC says:

      Can’t believe after all this time that adam Schumacher hasn’t been investigated…… at least given a hard, hard look….. fucking snake works at fed ex I think? Carma is a bitch…… every one is fooled by the church, family guy image….. well, behind the mask……..P*%#& of. S*#”

      • Brandi says:

        Adam Schumacher is he from Stuart area?

      • Anonymous says:

        Warren prosecutors suck that’s why this hasnt been solved, if this were to happen in polk county alot more intensive investating would take place. I live less than few miles from the woods murder and this isnt the 1st time foul play happens across county lines it’s sad but an entire family was murdered 32 years down the street my folks live on few miles fro. The woods and an murdered woman body also found by hunters to complete separate case from the woods. I hope they find whoever’s did this but I also hope warren county finds better prosecutors

  24. Helen says:

    I heard about this horrific crime when it happened and extended my prayers to the family on the facebook page set up for Bill & Kay. Unfortunately, time and the lack of news updates has let this case drop from the public consciousness far too soon. I still think of Kay and what she and Bill must have endured that night, and what the families have withstand for the last 5 1/2 years. I continue to pray that Kay is found and that the family may be reunited.

  25. skylinn smith says:

    love you aunt kay and uncle bill, reading this article breaks my heart. :(

  26. Cody says:

    Did anyone call the number the man (Greg) left?

  27. R.i.p grandpa wood

  28. Shared, and I will keep sharing.

  29. Joshua Pepe says:

    Dude the wife did it…

  30. Kim says:

    There was a case profiled on NBC’s Dateline tonight that had some similarities to this case. Gary and Jan Tyrrell were found murdered in their Springfield, MO. home in May of 2014. They were also avid antique collectors. It’s a longshot that the same killer was involved, but I’ll link to the case here:
    https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2015/08/26/porter-pleads-guilty-murder-springfield-couple/32425165/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

    https://www.news-leader.com/story/news/crime/2016/02/18/springfield-murder-missouri-tyrrell-nbc-dateline-coin-collector/80563020/?from=global&sessionKey=&autologin=

    • Kimberly Bridges says:

      Love the way the judge said, “Everything they were, you are not.” What kind of idiot thinks someone will loan a person with a gambling addiction $250,000!!

    • Carol Kean says:

      Long shot? Maybe, or maybe not. Thanks for this, Kim!
      I love the way readers, “ordinary citizens,” make connections that case investigators might have no way of noticing without that extra pair of eyes. We need an algorithm that sifts through all the cases, looking for a common denominator. In this case, “avid antique collectors,” retired man and wife, Midwest, small town, might raise a red flag. From there, comparing tips from citizens – e.g., in 1975, one might report that a black pickup truck was seen in town on a certain day and it was unusual, a 1960-62 Chevy pickup, gloss black with short box and stepside, “chopped” (lowered to the ground), with chrome wheels, “not something one saw in Waverly every day.” The algorithm won’t know this unless some person reports it, and LE duly records it in the case files.
      Readers, when you think of things like this, please contact whoever is named at the Cold Case site. Jody Ewing is one person working here (recently, I’ve stepped in trying to help), and she cannot follow up on every lead presented. By all means, keep posting here — someone else might have an “aha” moment and back you up on your insight or observation. But please pass on your information to the authorities in charge of the case; we cannot expect them to be aware of every new comment that shows up here, nor can we forward every comment ourselves. THANK YOU for reading and commenting.

      • Patrick Kerrigan says:

        Carol, i like your comment. However, in reviewing other cold cases we come across people that knew stuff about a victim’s plans before they disappeared or were murdered. However, since they were out of town, were never interviewed.

        Also, their is a cold homicide from January 2001 in Iowa. The only information provided to this site, was the victim’s name, age, address, and he was slain. The agency wants information from the public.

        I wonder how he was slain. How, was it determined. There are no details on how he was supposedly slain. Was, there signs of forced entry, or not. I don’t if the victim, was married, divorced, single. It appears they did not investigate, and they want us to tell them what happened, or investigate the case.

        If I submitted a police report that said the victim Mr. X was slain, with no further information, my boss would want my badge and identification on his desk.

        I wonder if they entered this case into the FBI’s VICAP system. Probably not, since they determined the facts. Where is Sgt. Joe Friday, when we need him.

  31. Tanna says:

    I was in prison with an girl named malissa who believed her brother had something to do with this and i have the card of an special agent he left me that im calling tomorrow

  32. linda thurman says:

    Dear Family of Bill and Kay,
    Not a week goes by that Bill and Kay come to mind and I think of all of you and say a prayer. your in my thoughts always and praying that some peace will come to you soon.
    sincerely, linda

    • skylinn smith says:

      It makes my heart happy that people still care about my family’s feelings as we still haven’t had complete closure, thank you.

  33. malinda says:

    i will see you again someday and when i do im never letting go i know you missed out on alot some bad things happend when you were gone but i thought of you to keep me sain mommy says hi and misses you with all her heart ariel did not cry but i know deep in side she did i miss you —mindy your grand daughter

    • Jody Ewing says:

      Mindy, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts and comments here, and please know how sorry I am for your loss. I honestly thought this case was one that would be swiftly solved, and it’s hard to believe it’s been more than four years since I first heard the news.

      Grandparents play such a very special role in our lives, and it saddens me that you lost him at such a young age. Investigators are still working on this case and I have confidence they’ll be able to put all the pieces together and bring about justice in this senseless crime. All my best to you and your family. Jody at ICC

    • Greg says:

      Please contact me 515-344-9533.

  34. malinda says:

    this is the grand daughter of bill im am now 11 and i miss him very much

  35. Mary Huffman says:

    Omg you girls have been through. So much. I was hoping that you had new info. So sorry she was awesome. Tears and prayers for the family God bless all of you. Think of you guys every time I see your names on Facebook. Don't give up hope.

  36. jacob nathanial jimerson says:

    one day ill see you again and i can tell you what you have missed in life so you can kick my ass. i love you grand pa -jacob

  37. jacob jimerson says:

    i miss you grand pa we all do

    • jacob jimerson says:

      i think they need to re open the case i want them to find this guy i want this to end with the guy behind bars

  38. Bill Kowalski says:

    I’ve been worried about that poor woman since I heard about this. I can only imagine how awful it must be for her loved ones. I hope this is resolved soon. Even if the killer isn’t found, if he is at all decent he might leave some clue so her whereabouts can be found.

  39. Lisa Lawshe says:

    I was just wondering, if anyone has been able to read the police report on this case.

  40. Brandy Bonnett says:

    We realize that now that you are doing good by trying to spread the word…I was just upset at first to think that the case was considered cold, mainly because of the name of the website (Iowa Cold Cases)…It was just too soon for me to think that it was a shut case. Thank you for making this a more widely known case. :)

    • Jody Ewing says:

      No problem at all, Brandy. We’re happy to help, and anxiously await any kind of news on your grandfather’s case as well as Kay’s. Everything about this case is so terribly sad and tragic. My heart goes out to you and your family. Please stay in touch.
      All best,
      Jody

    • Greg says:

      Please call 515-344-9533

      • P says:

        Please tell me someone called you.

        • Jody Ewing says:

          P — I have contacted Greg off-list. I also provided the DCI (this past March) with information an eyewitness shared with us. The sketch of the person of interest in this case is a clear match for one of the two individuals seen in Kansas City with the red pickup that belonged to Bill and Kay.

  41. Eloise says:

    I’m thinking that even thought this case is still under investigation, like the Ashley Okland case, it was added to the website to create more widespread awareness of it.

  42. Brandy Bonnett says:

    Just curious as to why you consider this a “cold case” when it is very much under investigation? Just because there has not been current articles with new information about the case does not mean that they are not working on leads or other angles. I am Bill woods grandchild and I don’t want family and friends to lose hope by seeing articles like these that consider the case “cold”.

  43. Amber says:

    I am wondering why this is considered a ‘cold case’?

    • Cindy says:

      Have y’all considered contacting someone who has a true crime podcast? They are very popular right now and it might be another avenue to get the word out. Somebody, somewhere knows or has seen something. The public can be instrumental in solving a lot of these cases. Also a FB page for tips? My heart goes out to you and I hope you’ll soon have answers.

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