Polk County in Iowa
 
Des Moines in Polk County

William Thomas

Homicide

William Thomas
70 YOA
1213 Jefferson Avenue
Des Moines, IA
Polk County
Case # 1979-35742
September 9, 1979

 
 
William Thomas, 70, was struck in the head in the early morning hours on Sunday, September 9, 1979, after leaving a local Des Moines bar.

Thomas, who resided at 1213 Jefferson Avenue, had nearly reached his home when the attack occurred. A neighbor discovered Thomas’ body shortly before 2 a.m. and notified police.

Thomas, still conscious at the time, was able to provide Des Moines police with his name and home address before being taken to Broadlawns Medical Center. He later was transported to Mercy Hospital Medical Center, where he died Monday evening, Sept. 10, at 6:30 p.m.

In a Des Moines Register article dated Sept. 11, 1979, Des Moines police said Thomas’ wallet had been stolen, and although robbery appeared to be the motive, the victim still had $690 in a front pants pocket.

William Thomas was born March 15, 1909.

His murder remains unsolved.

Information Needed

Anyone with information about William Thomas’ unsolved homicide should contact the Des Moines Police Department at 515-283-4864.

Sources:

• Des Moines Police Department, correspondence to Iowa Cold Cases, July 10, 2009
• Person Details for William Thomas, “United States Social Security Death Index” — FamilySearch.org
• William Thomas (1909 – 1979) — Find a Grave Memorial
• “D.M. Man Who Was Beaten on Sunday Dies,” The Des Moines Register, September 11, 1979