Buena Vista County in Iowa
Storm Lake in Buena Vista County
NOTE: Some of these cases in Storm Lake may fall under the Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office. They are listed here for cross-reference purposes for researchers. Please see the individual case summaries for the proper investigating agency.
Homicide
Baby Doe
Two days old
502 C West 8th St.
Vista Estates Mobile Home Park
Storm Lake, IA
Buena Vista County
Investigating Agency: Storm Lake Police Department
October 15, 1995
On Tuesday, October 17, 1995, officers on foot patrol in Storm Lake, Iowa, found a newborn dead baby boy in a vacant and boarded-up mobile home located at 5020 W. Eighth Street. According to police, the infant — believed to have been two days old — had been left alone to die in a closet.
Homicide
‘A Child of God’ Baby Boy Doe
24 hours old
Harold Rowley Recycling Center
Storm Lake, Iowa
Buena Vista County
Investigating Agency: Buena Vista County Sheriff’s Office
May 30, 2002
On May 30, 2002, an infant baby boy between 24 and 48 hours old was found in a shredder at the Harold Rowley Recycling Center in Buena Vista County outside Storm Lake. Workers found the baby’s remains in the trash chute on the conveyor where recyclables were separated, and the infant’s body had been damaged by the shredder. This second abandoned Storm Lake baby was dubbed the “A Child of God.”
As I remember he was released. Saw him at a country bonfire party. I believe it was 1975.
Why is there no mention of the murder of Jeanie Christenson in Storm Lake, Iowa, who was found strangled in her apartment.
Linda, I contacted Chief Prosser regarding Jean Marie Christensen, who was found strangled in her Storm Lake apartment Oct. 17, 1971. Jean’s fiancé, Michael Dean Peterson, was indicted and tried for her murder and found guilty. The Iowa Supreme Court reversed the verdict (based on a technicality) in June 1974, but that did not diminish the investigator’s position that Peterson was the perpetrator.
Iowa, like other states, considers a case closed once a suspect is arrested and charged with a crime.
Was he released at that time, or was he retried? Just curious to know if he’s still alive. He must be in his late 70s by now (2023).
Yeh and if he is alive was there ever any DNA preserved that could be looked at today?