Francis Jordon

Francis F. Jordon, Sr. (photo courtesy Debra Jordon Weiss)

Francis F. Jordon, Sr.

Homicide

Francis Frederick Jordon, Sr.
42 YOA
Cliffland Park
Ottumwa, IA
Wapello County
July 12, 1978

 

Case Summary compiled by Jody Ewing

 
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.

Wapello County in Iowa
Wapello County in Iowa
 
Ottumwa in Wapello CountyOttumwa in Wapello County

Jordon, 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.

About Francis Jordon

Francis Jordon was born March 12, 1936, in Lansing, Iowa, in Allamakee County to Michael James and Lucille (Edwards) Jordon.

Francis Jordon headstoneCourtesy photo Becky, findagrave.com
Francis Jordon served as a Private in the U.S. Army. He is buried in the Eldon Cemetery in Wapello County. All records (and correspondence with his family) indicate his last name was spelled Jordon; it is unknown why his gravestone lists it as Jordan.

He 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.

Information Needed

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.

Sources:

 

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23 Responses to Francis Jordon

  1. Linda jordon says:

    My uncle my dad brother please someone come forward please

  2. Linda jordon says:

    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.

  3. Julie Alexander (Jordon) says:

    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.

  4. Debrs says:

    41 years and we his family still have no answers and my dad has no justice

  5. John jordon says:

    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….

    • Inez Slayman says:

      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.

  6. Joanna Fagan says:

    My uncles parents are not buried in Eldon cemetery my grandma is buried in Lansing Iowa and my grandpa is buried in P. Pennsylvania

  7. Jeff Klinkel says:

    Looks like Dan Bilzerian

  8. So sad for the family!

  9. Frances Lucille Denniston says:

    He was my grandfather someone robbed myself and my family of having a grandfather.

  10. Frances says:

    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.

  11. Frances says:

    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.

    • tilly says:

      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..

  12. Barbara Schipper says:

    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.

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