Francis F. Jordon, Sr. (photo courtesy Debra Jordon Weiss)
In the early morning hours on Wednesday, July 12, 1978, Francis Frederick Jordon Sr. was killed after two men knocked on his door saying they had car trouble and asking him for help.
Ottumwa in Wapello CountyJordon, 42, resided with his family in a cabin near Cliffland Park in Ottumwa, and the men had to pass by several other cabins before arriving at Jordon’s home. Jordon, a United States Army veteran, agreed to help the two men and left with them.
When Jordon didn’t return, his son and a friend went looking for him. They found Jordon’s dead body thrown over the bank beside the Des Moines River.
Jordon had clearly been targeted for murder. The attack was so brutal in nature that clumps of hair and scalp had been ripped from Jordon’s head.
The two men who lured Jordon from his home were believed to be brothers.
Family members who wished to remain anonymous said Jordon’s wife was allegedly involved in setting up her husband’s murder, with money as the motive. Apparently the young woman’s father learned of her alleged involvement and cut off ties with her.
Four and one-half years after Jordon’s murder, the nearly decapitated body of 55-year-old Melvin “Mez” Adams would be found in a nearby cabin.
Both men’s murders remain unsolved.
Francis Jordon was born March 12, 1936, in Lansing, Iowa, in Allamakee County to Michael James and Lucille (Edwards) Jordon.
Courtesy photo Becky, findagrave.comHe was a beloved son, brother, husband, father, and grandfather.
He was survived by his wife, Ruth F. (Hanson) Jordon; five children, Debra (Tom) Weiss and Francis Jordon Jr. and friend Angie McLaughlin, all of Ottumwa, Gwen (Richard) Brainard, John Jordon and George Jordon.
Ruth Jordon passed away on January 12, 2012.
Francis Jordon Sr. was buried in the Eldon Cemetery in Wapello County, Iowa.
If you have any information regarding Francis Jordon’s unsolved murder, please contact the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 725-6010 or email dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us, or contact the Wapello County Sheriff’s Office at (641) 684-4350.
My uncle my dad brother please someone come forward please
That’s my uncle my dad brother my dad is the only brother left of the jordon please if you know anything please come forward plese.
Has this Jason person ever came forward with what he may know about my Uncle murder? Jason if you are seeing this please contact me or the agency listed. You can contact me at (608)-632-5871 Please if anyone has any information contact me or better yet the agency you never know even a little detail could open this case wide open and my dad and the rest of the family can finally put this to rest and my uncle can finally rest in peace.
41 years and we his family still have no answers and my dad has no justice
I believe half of the ones involved have passed and the ones that r left r family members, our mother has passed and u can struggle with ur drugs shame and guilt take it to ur grave if u wish but when time comes I hope u all go to hell and never get too heaven to see our loved ones again….
My heartfelt sympathies are with you and your family for this terrible loss. Your grandfather Melvin was brother to my grandfather Herman Hanson. I remember being told of this awful thing by my mother. Nothing can replace that precious life.
My uncles parents are not buried in Eldon cemetery my grandma is buried in Lansing Iowa and my grandpa is buried in P. Pennsylvania
So sad :(
Looks like Dan Bilzerian
So sad for the family!
Anna Shields
He was my grandfather someone robbed myself and my family of having a grandfather.
thank you… I just wish someone would come forward i want my family reunited and not to feel tension when we are all in the same room.
I have some information…i am unsure if any of it is true…
If you have information contact the dci
Jason I would like to hear what u have to say….call me 563 794 1929
Jason if u would like to tell me what u know call me at 563 880 6054
Jason, I am this man’s daughter. Would you please contact me @ granny_smurf@yahoo.com
Please call me 5638806045
Hey jason, I am francis’s grand daughter. I never got to meet him. None of us really got the chance. I know he wasn’t the greatest man ever… but i would love some information, even if it is possibly faulty. Anything that is remotely close to being on track I’m sure would put my grandmother to rest… if you would like to, I would greatly appreciate a call.. 563-794-2331
this is my grand father and some one has made a choice to take him away from our family and has torn our family apart. My grandma just passed away and want it solved before she passed, she never got her wish.
This is so sad…I am so sorry for you and your family..What a horrible thing to happen…I am from around here and I do not remember hearing about this…Someone knows something, I hope they come forward…God Bless..
I can’t believe that no one has come forward with any information about this cold case!!Who could do such a horrible thing to someone and just leave them there.My heart and prayers goes out to his family and lets just pray that someone will come forward with some information to catch the person or persons who did this.