James Remakel

James “Jim” Remakel

James M. Remakel

Homicide — SOLVED

VERDICT — GUILTY of Second-Degree Murder

 

James Michael Remakel
59 YOA
606 South Riverview Street
Bellevue, Iowa
Jackson County
Body Found: December 25, 2016

ARREST MADE: May 18, 2018
VERDICT: Drew A. Mangler found guilty of second-degree murder by Jackson County jurors on Feb. 13, 2019

 

UPDATE: Mangler Guilty of 2nd-degree Murder

Drew Mangler

Drew Mangler

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, a Jackson County jury found Drew A. Mangler, 24, guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of James Remakel, 59, on Dec. 19, 2016, at Remakel’s Bellevue home.

Mangler’s trial started on Feb. 4. The conviction came on a lesser, included charge after Mangler originally was charged with first-degree murder. A conviction on the first-degree charge triggers an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole, while second-degree murder carries a 50-year prison term, with eligibility for parole after 35 years.

Mangler’s sentencing hearing is set for March 22.

Full story at the Dubuque Telegraph Herald


Previous Update

On Friday, May 18, 2018, Drew Alan Mangler, 23, of Dubuque, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in James Remakel’s death.

As the investigation into Remakel’s homicide unfolded, Mangler became a suspect and an arrest warrant was issued on May 17, 2018. On Friday, May 18, 2018, authorities took Mangler into custody without incident.

Mangler has been charged with Murder in the First Degree in violation of Iowa Criminal Code Sections 707.1 and 707.2(1). He is currently being housed in the Jackson County Jail. A First Degree Murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The following is a press release issued by the Iowa Department of Public Safety on May 18, 2018:

For immediate release:

May 18, 2018

First Degree Murder Arrest

BELLEVUE, Iowa — On Sunday, December 25, 2016, the Bellevue Police Department (BPD) was called to the residence of James Michael Remakel located at 606 South Riverview Drive. Upon arrival, law enforcement found a door which appeared to have been forced open. Once inside, Remakel was found deceased in his residence. Bellevue Police requested assistance from the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) with the suspicious death investigation.

An autopsy of Remakel was conducted on Tuesday, December 28, 2016, at the Office of the Iowa State Medical Examiner in Ankeny, Iowa. Results of the autopsy showed Remakel sustained multiple sharp force wounds throughout his upper torso, neck, face, and head area, which lead to his death. The death was ruled a homicide.

As the investigation unfolded, Drew Alan MANGLER (23 yrs. old) of Dubuque, Iowa, became a suspect and an arrest warrant was issued on May 17, 2018. On Friday, May 18, 2018, authorities took MANGLER into custody without incident. MANGLER has been charged with Murder in the First Degree in violation of Iowa Criminal Code Sections 707.1 and 707.2(1). He is currently being housed in the Jackson County Jail. A First Degree Murder conviction carries a mandatory life sentence without the possibility of parole.

The multi-jurisdictional investigation included the Bellevue Police Department, Iowa Department of Public Safety’s Division of Criminal Investigation, Division of Criminal Investigation Criminalistics’ Laboratory, Dubuque Police Department, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, Jackson County Attorney’s Office and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office.

No additional information will be released at this time.

Media Contact:
S.A.C. Richard Rahn
563-370-5109-Cell

Note: A criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.

View the Press Release Here


Case Summary

James “Jim” Remakel, 59, was stabbed to death inside his 606 South Riverview Street home in Bellevue, Iowa, in the days preceding December 25, 2016.

Bellevue police said officers were summoned to the house about 1 p.m. Sunday on Christmas Day, 2016, where they found Remakel dead on his bed with several wounds. Due to the suspicious death, police contacted the Iowa Department of Public Safety’s (DPS) Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to assist with the investigation.

DCI agents began conducting interviews, and, with the help of the DCI’s Criminalistics Laboratory, began searching the residence.

Courtesy photo Trulia
James “Jim” Remakel was found stabbed to death in this Bellevue, Iowa, home on Christmas Day, 2016. His family has offered a reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Jim’s death.

Remakel was transported to the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny for an autopsy.

Bellevue police and the DCI said that on or about December 25, 2016, someone forced their way into Remakel’s home, according to a news release issued by the Bellevue Police Department. Some kind of altercation ensued and Remakel died as a result, police said.

Published documents later revealed the back door of Remakel’s residence had been kicked in, and blood was discovered in the kitchen as well as inside Remakel’s bedroom.

The investigative team includes the Bellevue Police Department, Bellevue Police Department Reserve Officers, Jackson County Attorney’s Office, Iowa DPS’s Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the DCI’s Criminalistics Laboratory, along with the Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner.

Death Ruled Homicide, Reward Offered

The autopsy was conducted Tuesday, Dec. 27, 2016, and on Wednesday, Dec. 28, the Iowa DCI said Remakel’s death had been ruled a homicide. An autopsy showed Remakel had been stabbed 33 times in his upper body, neck and head. He was believed to have died three to four days prior to his body being found.

Lead investigator Richard Rahn, a special agent in charge with the DCI, said they continued to actively conduct interviews but would not comment as to whether he believed the victim knew his killer.

Bellevue in Jackson County

Bellevue in Jackson County (Courtesy Wikipedia)

Jackson County Crime Stoppers offered a reward of up to $2,000 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for Remakel’s death.

Callers to Crime Stoppers can remain completely anonymous.

The Jackson County Crime Stoppers hotline is 563-652-2212. Anyone with a tip also can call the Bellevue Police Department at 563-872-4545.

Reward Raised for Information

On November 17, 2017, the Iowa Department of Public Safety announced in a press release that Remakel’s family was offering an additional reward for information leading to an arrest in the case, bringing the total reward amount to $4,000. The press release stated:

For immediate release:

November 17, 2017
Update: Reward Raised for Information
into the Death of James Remakel

DES MOINES, Iowa — The family of James Remakel has provided an additional $2,000.00 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of their loved one’s killer. James Remakel was killed inside his residence of 606 South Riverview Street Bellevue, Iowa on December 25, 2016. The cause of death is from multiple sharp edged entries and the Iowa State Medical Examiner’s Office ruled the manner of death a homicide.

The family, along with the Jackson County Crime Stoppers, the Bellevue Police Department and the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, is seeking assistance from the public. If anyone knows any information related to the investigation, please call either the Jackson County Crime Stoppers’ hotline at 563-652-2212 or the Bellevue Police Department at 563-872-4545.

Additionally, the Jackson County Crime Stoppers continues to offer a reward of up to $2,000.00 for anonymous information that leads to the arrest and conviction of an individual responsible for the incident. When a person calls Crime Stoppers, the person will not be asked to provide a name nor will the person be asked to provide a statement to law enforcement or asked to testify in court.

Media Contact:
Special Agent in Charge Richard Rahn
Cell: 563-370-5109

UPDATES

Arrest Made

On Friday, May 18, 2018, Drew Alan Mangler, 23, of 1110 Althauser Ave. in Dubuque, Iowa, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in James Remakel’s death.

According to a Des Moines Register article dated June 10, 2018, court documents say Mangler was developed as a suspect following witness accounts to police. Investigators say they found a shoe with Remakel’s blood on it during a search of Mangler’s house.

On June 8, 2018, Mangler entered a “not guilty” written plea in the Iowa District Court for Jackson County. He currently is being held at the Jackson County Jail on a $1 million bond.

Guilty of Second-Degree Murder

On Wednesday, Feb. 13, 2019, a Jackson County jury found Drew A. Mangler, 24, guilty of second-degree murder in the killing of James Remakel, 59, on Dec. 19, 2016, at Remakel’s Bellevue home. 

Mangler’s trial started on Feb. 4. The conviction came on a lesser, included charge after Mangler originally was charged with first-degree murder. A conviction on the first-degree charge triggers an automatic sentence of life in prison without parole, while second-degree murder carries a 50-year prison term, with eligibility for parole after 35 years.

Mangler’s sentencing hearing is set for March 22.

Full story at the Dubuque Telegraph Herald

About James Remakel

James “Jim” Michael Remakel was born Sept. 24, 1957, in Bellevue, Iowa, the son of Richard and Dorothy (Sulzner) Remakel. He graduated from Bellevue Community High School, class of 1976.

Jim worked for Felderman-Remakel Construction for many years, and over his lifetime worked the many trades in construction. He was also a talented mechanic and enjoyed working on muscle cars.

He was found dead in his 606 South Riverview Street home in Bellevue, Iowa, on Sunday, December 25, 2016.

The 59-year-old Remakel had suffered a stroke in the years proceeding his death and greatly appreciated the many people in the Bellevue Community that helped him on a daily basis.

Funeral services were held at 11 a.m. Friday, December 30, 2016, at Hachmann Funeral Home & Cremation Service in Bellevue. Visitation was held from 10 – 11 a.m. Friday at the funeral home prior to the service.

James was buried in St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Bellevue.

Survivors included a brother, Rick (Heidi), Remakel, of Prescott, Arizona; a nephew, Jeff Remakel, of Austin, Texas; and two nieces, Jennifer Remakel, of Phoenix, Arizona and Kathy Remakel, of Las Vegas, Nevada.

James’ parents preceded him in death.

The family offered thanks to the First Presbyterian Church and congregation, Bender’s Foods and their staff, and the many volunteers of the RTA Bus for their care and concern for James in the past couple of years.

Sources:

 

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