The cases below include unsolved Iowa homicides from 1960 – 1969, and are listed in chronological order. If you know of a case not listed here or have information you’d like included with an existing page, please contact us with relevant details and we’ll respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
Click on any image or link to view a victim’s case summary page and to access additional information and/or feature stories related to that case.
Darleen Fitchett
28 YOA
608 E. Pleasant View Dr.
Des Moines, IA
Case # 1960-1563
January 19, 1960
Dorothy Coon
38 YOA
Rural Chariton, IA
Lucas County
Case # 60-07871
August 26, 1960
I am visiting Shenandoah at the moment and i’m trying to figure something out about the Tall Corn Inn, we found a photograph of an overview of the Hotel from what appears to be the 1960s. The photograph shows a woman being dragged by a man, she’s wrapped in a bedsheet or something else but she is clearly alive in the image. If anyone knows anything, please let me know.
Hello,my name is Donald Garney. And i am trying to find anybody that may remember or help me to find info on a homicide in webster city iowa. My Grandmother was remaried to a man with the last name Daniels, or McDaniels who murdered her and hid her body in a shed, being found weeks later. He had struck her in the head with a hammer and left her to choke on her own blood. Sorry for the detail, but ive tried everything. Hopeing now maybe someone in the earea may remember hearing about it in the news. My mother was raised in a orphanage at a very young age due to this, and has recently passed. If someone ,anybody can help?. Victims name Erma or Irma, Jane or Jean, McDaniel or Daniel murdered in webster city iowa, hamilton county or calhoun county, in 1960’s . Maiden name (carlson) . Thank you. And GODBLESS.
Donald, I recommend an online search for information related to her murder. Also, contacting the local library, they may have newspapers from that time period they could check.
Another option, would be to see if their might be a Webster City Historica Society. The murder would have been big news and they might have some records.
Also, I would assume that maybe the local county would have some trial records, if there was an arrest and court hearing. Those records hopefully would be resource.
A very good friend of mine was murdered in Des Moines in the 60′s. Her name was Linda Terry and she was stabbed to death by her mother’s boyfriend’s son if I remember correctly.
Thank you for looking in to this even after all these years my family is still very troubled and wishes for some kind of explanation of who and why my aunt was murdered from what I have been told my grandmother had to identify the body and the only way she knew it was Arlene is from a scar on her ankle her body was stabbed and cut several times.My parents said that her case has never been solved but there were a few suspects but no one has ever been charged with her murder.
I grew up with LINDA BOOTH in Fort Dodge, IA. Her father was a highway patrolman (ARLIS BOOTH). LINDA was killed at a dry cleaning shop where she worked before and after school. They were living somewhere around Des Moines or Ames at the time and she would’ve been around 17-18. So this would have happened in 1967/68. I didn’t think they ever solved this case, so I was surprised not to see her listed. Can anyone provide additional information?
He should not be walking the streets. The murder was brutal and I have never forgotten Linda or what she went through. I knew her from 5th grade up until the time she was murdered.
Both Niccum and Logsdon admitted being at the murder scene, throwing out the murder weapon, and throwing out the bloody clothes. It was a matter of which one did it. They were just having a “good time.” I guess when Niccum does it again he might go back to where he belongs. Poor Arlis and Ruby. Linda was a beautiful girl.
Linda Booth was killed Nov, of 1968 at a Dry Cleaners in Wakonda Shopping Center in Des Moines. She is buried in the NE part of a cemetery in Indianola, Iowa Her boyfriend , at the time of the murder, Jimmy Lucia, died in 2014 and is buried in the same cemetery. They caught the guy who killed her(with a golf club) and was convicted and sent to prison. Don’t know his name or his disposition. It was a big trial. I didn’t know she grew up in FD, iowa Linda went to Lincoln High school in DM and was Scheduled to Graduate in 1969. She was a knock out beautiful woman. I was working at a Burger Chef near the shopping center,the nite of the murder. I was in the same class at Lincoln High.
This sounds like the murder that took place at the Arnold Palmer DryCleaners on Fleur drive. The lobby had a Putter as a “prop”. She was beaten to death with that Putter, and yes I do recall that her Father was a State Trooper.
Do you know the name of the person who murdered her? It is possible you can look him up to see if he is still in prison. The Corrections Department has a “inmate locator” on its Web site which may be helpful.
A very good friend of mine was murdered in Des Moines in the 60’s. Her name was Linda Terry and she was stabbed to death by her mother’s boyfriend’s son if I remember correctly.
I believe it happened in 1964 or 1965, when she would have been 13. I am interested in learning more about it and what happened to the man who killed her. Hope you can help me. Thank you.
I was in high school with her when she was murdered. Probably in 1968-69. I always felt it was a racial murder since she was dating a black guy……not acceptable in those days unfortunately. She was a lovely, beautiful girl.
It happened in September of 1968. The boy, age 16, who murdered Linda was sent to prison for life. His name was Gulling. His father, Donald Gulling, married Linda’s mother, Florence, in October 13, 1969, about a month after the murder in their home in Des Moines. She was a beautiful girl.
We encourage thoughtful discussion here but ask that comments remain civilized and constructive … i.e. without personal attacks or name-calling. Be respectful of others and remember that victims' family members visit these pages, too. If you'd like to provide us with information regarding a suspect or have other sensitive details to relay, please email us directly. Thank you in advance.
Sheila Jean Collins, 18
Geraldine Maggert, 25
I am visiting Shenandoah at the moment and i’m trying to figure something out about the Tall Corn Inn, we found a photograph of an overview of the Hotel from what appears to be the 1960s. The photograph shows a woman being dragged by a man, she’s wrapped in a bedsheet or something else but she is clearly alive in the image. If anyone knows anything, please let me know.
Hello,my name is Donald Garney. And i am trying to find anybody that may remember or help me to find info on a homicide in webster city iowa. My Grandmother was remaried to a man with the last name Daniels, or McDaniels who murdered her and hid her body in a shed, being found weeks later. He had struck her in the head with a hammer and left her to choke on her own blood. Sorry for the detail, but ive tried everything. Hopeing now maybe someone in the earea may remember hearing about it in the news. My mother was raised in a orphanage at a very young age due to this, and has recently passed. If someone ,anybody can help?. Victims name Erma or Irma, Jane or Jean, McDaniel or Daniel murdered in webster city iowa, hamilton county or calhoun county, in 1960’s . Maiden name (carlson) . Thank you. And GODBLESS.
Donald, I recommend an online search for information related to her murder. Also, contacting the local library, they may have newspapers from that time period they could check.
Another option, would be to see if their might be a Webster City Historica Society. The murder would have been big news and they might have some records.
Also, I would assume that maybe the local county would have some trial records, if there was an arrest and court hearing. Those records hopefully would be resource.
Mona Cox in mid 60s at 15th and Woodland across from Hoyt Sherman Place. Believed to have been killed with a Shingle Knife.
The was a murder in 1961 or 1962 on 29th near school st, I believe it was David Stump was accused of killing Richard Daily.
Don’t see Guzzie Blackwell
My mother was murdered Oct 25, 1963 by Edward Miller he only did 9yrs I would like to know what ever happened to him,
A very good friend of mine was murdered in Des Moines in the 60′s. Her name was Linda Terry and she was stabbed to death by her mother’s boyfriend’s son if I remember correctly.
Yes, Linda was my second cousins. Their parents went on to stay married until they passed in 2012/2015. Wonderful people and Linda was beautiful
Ron Gulling hung himself in his cell at Iowa State Penitentiary. Must have been in the late 1970’s.
1979
Thank you for looking in to this even after all these years my family is still very troubled and wishes for some kind of explanation of who and why my aunt was murdered from what I have been told my grandmother had to identify the body and the only way she knew it was Arlene is from a scar on her ankle her body was stabbed and cut several times.My parents said that her case has never been solved but there were a few suspects but no one has ever been charged with her murder.
My aunt was murdered in Clinton Iowa on November 13, 1967 why can’t I find any information about her murder? Her name was Arlene Adler.
I grew up with LINDA BOOTH in Fort Dodge, IA. Her father was a highway patrolman (ARLIS BOOTH). LINDA was killed at a dry cleaning shop where she worked before and after school. They were living somewhere around Des Moines or Ames at the time and she would’ve been around 17-18. So this would have happened in 1967/68. I didn’t think they ever solved this case, so I was surprised not to see her listed. Can anyone provide additional information?
I’m not seeing a Niccum on the Corrections site which could mean he has been released or died?
Michael Charles Niccum #0103259 discharged sentence in Polk County Cause #55814 for Murder, 2nd Degre, on 12 August 1999.
He should not be walking the streets. The murder was brutal and I have never forgotten Linda or what she went through. I knew her from 5th grade up until the time she was murdered.
Nicum was right handed…evidence withheld by the state says killer was left handed…states witness Lodgson, died 2009, found guilty as accomp.
Both Niccum and Logsdon admitted being at the murder scene, throwing out the murder weapon, and throwing out the bloody clothes. It was a matter of which one did it. They were just having a “good time.” I guess when Niccum does it again he might go back to where he belongs. Poor Arlis and Ruby. Linda was a beautiful girl.
Linda Booth was killed Nov, of 1968 at a Dry Cleaners in Wakonda Shopping Center in Des Moines. She is buried in the NE part of a cemetery in Indianola, Iowa Her boyfriend , at the time of the murder, Jimmy Lucia, died in 2014 and is buried in the same cemetery. They caught the guy who killed her(with a golf club) and was convicted and sent to prison. Don’t know his name or his disposition. It was a big trial. I didn’t know she grew up in FD, iowa Linda went to Lincoln High school in DM and was Scheduled to Graduate in 1969. She was a knock out beautiful woman. I was working at a Burger Chef near the shopping center,the nite of the murder. I was in the same class at Lincoln High.
Michael Charles Niccum was found guilty of Linda’s murder and was sentenced to life in prison. Don’t know if he was ever paroled or not.
She was a close friend of my brother and sister-in-law. Same class at Lincoln. I’m glad it was solved. I didn’t think it was.
This sounds like the murder that took place at the Arnold Palmer DryCleaners on Fleur drive. The lobby had a Putter as a “prop”. She was beaten to death with that Putter, and yes I do recall that her Father was a State Trooper.
Do you know the name of the person who murdered her? It is possible you can look him up to see if he is still in prison. The Corrections Department has a “inmate locator” on its Web site which may be helpful.
A very good friend of mine was murdered in Des Moines in the 60’s. Her name was Linda Terry and she was stabbed to death by her mother’s boyfriend’s son if I remember correctly.
I believe it happened in 1964 or 1965, when she would have been 13. I am interested in learning more about it and what happened to the man who killed her. Hope you can help me. Thank you.
I was in high school with her when she was murdered. Probably in 1968-69. I always felt it was a racial murder since she was dating a black guy……not acceptable in those days unfortunately. She was a lovely, beautiful girl.
It happened in September of 1968. The boy, age 16, who murdered Linda was sent to prison for life. His name was Gulling. His father, Donald Gulling, married Linda’s mother, Florence, in October 13, 1969, about a month after the murder in their home in Des Moines. She was a beautiful girl.
Sorry the two parents married a year and a month after the murder.
He committed suicide while in prison.