Man Sends Message to Missing Brother

On December 17, 2012, in Guest Blogs, Letters, Missing Persons, The Families, by Jody Ewing

In today’s guest blog, we include here a letter written by one man in search of his missing brother. The writer, Mark Rolfe, acknowledges that his brother, Lee Allan Rolfe, does have a record, but Mark Rolfe’s health is failing and he is sincere in wanting to locate his brother or find out what happened […]

A Family Responds to Arrest in Mary Jayne Jones Cold Case

On November 30, 2012, in Guest Blogs, The Families, Young Women, by Jody Ewing

Courtesy photo Des Moines Register Mary Jayne Jones Late last week, I received an e-mail from Judith Cabanillas — one of two sisters of Iowa Cold Case victim Mary Jayne Jones. Judith wrote to thank us for including her sister on our site, and said she and her family “were in shock” when they learned […]

Black Friday for Families of Cold Case Victims

On November 23, 2012, in Anniversaries, The Families, Young Women, by Jody Ewing

To most people, Thanksgiving — as well as the big Black Friday shopping day that follows — is simply a welcome holiday and an opportunity to get great savings on big-ticket items or Christmas gifts. Offspring living in distant states or countries will often travel thousands of miles to celebrate the weekend-long occasion with parents […]

Missing Dad Earl: Five Years Gone

On August 28, 2012, in Anniversaries, The Families, by Jody Ewing

Five years ago today, my family received news no family ever expects to hear. We were fortunate, however, in that we received a gift few families get to experience when crime comes knocking on one’s door; we each got the opportunity to see and speak to our loved one — and him to us — […]

From the Heart

On February 14, 2012, in Anniversaries, The Families, by Jody Ewing

Today’s anniversary tribute is written by Jessica Raleigh, whose mother, Delores “Toni” Hornung was shot to death in their Keokuk, Iowa home on Valentine’s Day 1999. Jessica posted the following comment on her mother’s case summary page: “I am Toni’s daughter and it has been very hard living without my mother, and the fact that we […]

A Special Guest Blog: When Tomorrow Starts Without Me

On October 30, 2011, in Anniversaries, Letters, The Families, by Jody Ewing

Today’s guest blog is written by Shannon Salmons, mother to 6-year-old cold case victim Jaymie Grahlman. Today, Jaymie — called ‘sis’ by her brothers and her mother — would have celebrated her 15th birthday. Below is a letter Shannon wrote to her daughter, followed by a poem chosen as a memorial. If You Were Still […]

Our Dearest Corey – A Very Special Tribute

On October 24, 2011, in Anniversaries, Letters, The Families, by Jody Ewing

Today, on the 8th anniversary of the day 30-year-old Corey Poffenberger left many lives, we have two very special tributes written by his family. The first tribute is written by Corey’s mother, Cindy Poffenberger, and the second by Corey’s sister, Kelli Sims. They have shared with us not only their heartfelt and moving memorials, but […]

A Hit-and-Run Homicide

On May 6, 2011, in Anniversaries, The Families, by Eileen Meier

My sister Valerie Peterson was killed 40 years ago today. It is still my hope that a task force pulled from Iowa law enforcement, legislators and community groups will be formed in Iowa, as it has been done in other states, to examine and put forth best practices in Iowa for the prioritization of cold cases, evidence extraction and bulk evidence […]

Guest Blogger Alicia Gaddy Remembers Her Brother

On April 13, 2011, in Anniversaries, The Families, by Jody Ewing

Today we have a special blog post by guest Alicia Gaddy, sister to cold case victim Cecil Travis Gaddy. Cecil, paralyzed from the waist down, was killed at age 19 when someone set fire to his Osceola, Iowa home in January 2004. Thank you, Alicia, for sharing your memories with us. _____________________________________________________ Remembering My Brother […]

The WHO-TV Iowa Cold Case Series: Enough? Or Barely Scratched the Surface?

On February 19, 2011, in Media, News, The Families, by Jody Ewing

I can’t begin to tell you how enjoyable it has been working with Channel 13′s Aaron Brilbeck over the past 7-1/2 months and witnessing the dedication he’s brought to telling the stories behind many Iowa cold cases. To regularly interview family members who’ve lost loved ones to violent crime can be a daunting job. It […]