Polk County in Iowa
 
Des Moines in Polk County

Kristine Lee Mitchell

Homicide

Kristine Lee Mitchell
27 YOA
100 Forest
Des Moines, IA
Polk County
Case # 1986-17433
April 27, 1986

 
 
Kristine Lee Mitchell, 27, was found dead Sunday night, April 27, 1986, in a wooded lot in Des Moines.

According to a Cedar Rapids Gazette article dated Tuesday, April 29, 1986, a man looking for auto parts discovered the young woman’s body north of the city in an area littered with junk.

Polk County Medical Examiner Dr. R.C. Wooters said the woman’s body was found face down in the mud with a tire placed over it. He said an autopsy would be performed, but noted that markings found on the body indicated murder.

Mitchell had been clothed in bib overalls, which were found nearby, the Gazette reported.

Authorities said Mitchell was identified after her husband, Mark, heard a report about a body being found and called police. He told police the description sounded like his wife, who’d been late getting home.

Wooters said Mrs. Mitchell had been dead less than 24 hours when discovered by the man looking for auto parts.

Information needed

If you have any information about Kristine Mitchell’s unsolved murder please contact the Des Moines Police Department at 515-283-4864.

Sources:

• Andrea Olmanson, correspondence to Iowa Cold Cases, Nov. 14, 2014
• Des Moines Police Department, correspondence to Iowa Cold Cases, July 10, 2009
• “Mitchell, Kristine L (Obituary),” Des Moines Register, April 30, 1986, Section: Metro, Page 7, Column 4
• “Murder suspected in woman’s death,” The Associated Press/Cedar Rapids Gazette, Tuesday, April 29, 1986, Page 7A
• “Body of Woman Found Near Downtown Identified,” Des Moines Register, April 29, 1986, Section: Metro, Page 8, Column 3
• “Unidentified Woman’s Body Found In Des Moines Woods,” Des Moines Register, April 28, 1986, Section A, Page 1, Column 4