Prairie Hill, MO Area Cold Cases

Name

Arthur Ransford

Age

36

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Arthur leon ransford, a 36-year-old vietnam veteran, went missing from his keokuk, iowa home in lee county on tuesday, november 22, 1983. His wife reported him missing thanksgiving day. Montrose in lee county montrose in lee county on sunday, may 13, 1984, ransford’s body was found about two miles south of montrose, enclosed in a large yellow bag and buried under cement blocks in a wooded area overlooking the mississippi river. The father of two had been shot in the head before being bagged and buried on the river bluff.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Billy Clark

Age

43

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Sometime on friday, august 1, 1975, billy lee clark of ottumwa, iowa, was shot in the back in a rural wapello county pasture. The 43-year-old’s body, found lying next to his pick-up truck, was discovered the following day at approximately 2:23 p.M. On a farm owned by martin bergland, about seven miles west of ottumwa on route 4.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Brandy Shepherd

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Brandy mae shepherd-margita, 29, of anamosa, iowa, was found dead in a henry county farm field west of wayland near highway 78 on friday, august 9, 2019. Wayland in henry county (wikipedia) the mother of four young children had been missing since august 2. The henry county sheriff’s office said a farmhand found her body around noon while checking on livestock and the property’s fence line.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Cecil Gaddy

Age

19

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

He worked as a farm hand and repaired small engines. He taught himself to play guitar and enjoyed writing songs. He had a keen interest in computers, and routinely fixed problems for those who came to him for help. Clarke county in iowa clarke county in iowa osceola iowa osceola in clarke county life took its first cruel turn when the 16-year-old teen, his pregnant sister and her husband and another friend were passengers in a van and the driver lost control. When the vehicle started to roll, cecil used his body to protect his sister, but eventually was thrown through the windshield and left with a broken back. Paralyzed from the waist down, cecil struggled to regain his independence and keep up with his favorite activities. Though he couldn’t walk, he could still use his hands, and his trusty wheelchair could take him nearly anywhere he wanted to go

Agency

Iowa

Name

Cecil Paris

Age

31

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Police believed cecil was shot when he ordered someone off the premises. His own .32 caliber revolver was missing and believed stolen. Money had also been removed but a cheap watch was untouched. Three charcoal tablets had been wrapped in a paper that they think the murderer mistook for a bill and were found on the ground along with the paper.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Christopher Axiotis

Age

16

Cause of Death

Undetermined

Info

The 16-year-old osceola youth’s incarcerated father had been in prison most of the teen’s life. His mother had left town to stay with a boyfriend, and even his little brother was locked up in a detention center. Clarke county in iowa clarke county in iowa osceola in clarke countyosceola in clark county axiotis had begun staying with friends, most recently with deb barringer in osceola. He’d dated angie ruth for a few years, and the two were working on getting back together. On tuesday, november 16, 1999, ruth sat in a classroom when word trickled into school about a body being found at the q pond park on osceola’s northwest edge. It was somebody from school, she heard, but at the time no one knew the victim’s identity. After school, ruth went home and got the call. Officials had identified the body as that of her longtime friend, chris axiotis.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Chuck Deatsch Jr

Age

52

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On april 28, 2008 at approximately 9:50 p.M., chuck deatsch, 52, was shot and killed at his residence in rural mystic, iowa. Authorities said the bullet that hit and killed deatsch came from a single shot outside his home that came in through the home’s front window.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Crystal Hunt

Age

21

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Crystal sue hunt was reported missing to the wayne county sheriff’s office in corydon, iowa, on feb. 24, 1998. Corydon in wayne county corydon in wayne county crystal, who’d celebrated her 21st birthday just six days earlier and was pregnant, was last seen leaving her parents’ residence in centerville on feb. 24, 1998, with her boyfriend. He said they argued and she got out of the car. Crystal has not been seen nor heard from since. She is described as 5-foot-9 , 140-142 pounds, with blue eyes and blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a white t-shirt, white sweatshirt, black and white checked stirrup pants and nike tennis shoes with blue spots on the tops.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Denease Latham

Age

24

Cause of Death

Suspicious

Info

On sunday, oct. 5, 1986 — just 15 days before her 25th birthday — denease (monson) latham of what cheer, iowa, suffered blunt force trauma injuries to her head before coming to rest face-down in two feet of water beneath a bridge about a half mile north of rose hill in mahaska county. One of latham’s young sons remembers the fight between his mother and father the last night he ever saw his mom alive. She’d taken off on her bicycle, he said, and his father, robin latham, later went after her.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dennison Stookesberry

Age

56

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Dennison stookesberry, a 56-year-old disabled man from rural blakesburg, iowa, in wapello county, was last seen alive on monday evening, feb. 8, 1999, when a fishing buddy said he’d dropped his friend off at home after a night at a bar. Stookesberry was reported missing to the wapello county sheriff’s office in ottumwa, iowa, one week later on monday, feb 15, 1999, after officials discovered the diabetic appeared to have left his home in the middle of cooking dinner and hadn’t taken any of his diabetes or heart medication with him. Butter had been left on the kitchen table and a deer steak left in the microwave oven.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dolores Hornung

Age

48

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Dolores a. “toni” (martinez) hornung, 48, was shot to death in her keokuk, iowa home with a 30-30 rifle early sunday morning on valentine’s day, 1999. Lee county in iowa lee county in iowa keokuk in lee countykeokuk in lee county hornung’s daughter called emergency officials about 5:25 p.M. Saying she could not wake her mother, police said in a statement released monday, february 15, 1999. Investigators determined hornung hadn’t died of natural causes and scheduled an autopsy for the following day.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Donald Murphy

Age

39

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On friday, july 20, 1984, donald murphy was reported missing from a knoxville hospital. In november 1984 hunters found his skeletal remains in northern polk county just a few days prior to what would have been murphy’s 40th birthday. Donald john murphy was born november 9, 1944, at knoxville, the son of james francis and catherine bingaman murphy. He spent most of his life in the knoxville area. He graduated from knoxville high school in the class of 1963 and later entered the coast guard.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dorothy Coon

Age

38

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On monday evening, august 29, 1960, dorothy coon was found dead in a ditch alongside a county road in lucas county, iowa, about 12 miles north of chariton. Her body — clad in a dark green dress and white shoes — was discovered by a farmer mowing weeds. Her purse was found one mile away. The gravel road was a shortcut to coon’s parents’ farm east of chariton, and in the vicinity of albia, iowa.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Douglas Shondel II

Age

21

Cause of Death

Undetermined

Info

Many things don’t add up in 21-year-old douglas james shondel ii’s mysterious march 2001 death. Jefferson county in iowa jefferson county in iowa fairfield in jefferson countyfairfield in jefferson county shondel’s pregnant girlfriend, crystal knight, told officials on sunday, march 11, 2001, that she’d found him unresponsive in the bathtub of the couple’s 100 n. 16th st. Apartment in fairfield, iowa, the water still running from the shower. Rather than ask to use the next-door neighbor’s telephone to call 911, knight walked one and one-half blocks to gather some of the couple’s friends, who returned to the 16th street apartment with her to allegedly clean everything before anyone called emts.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Edward Schmidt

Age

85

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Edward arthur schmidt, an 85-year-old oskaloosa attorney, was beaten about the head and face and then stabbed to death in his spartan-like basement law office on thursday, january 13, 1972.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Eric Redinbo

Age

18

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Eric scott redinbo, 18, died friday night, february 12, 1999, from a single blast to the head from a 12-gauge shotgun at a keokuk, iowa home. Officers said they were called to susan anderson’s house on keokuk’s west side around 8:40 p.M. Friday, where they found redinbo’s body. Police said the 12 gauge had accidentally gone off inside the home, hitting redinbo once in the head.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Francis Jordon Sr

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

In the early morning hours on wednesday, july 12, 1978, francis frederick jordon sr. Was killed after two men knocked on his door saying they had car trouble and asking him for help.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Fred Sanders

Age

43

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On november 11, 1966, hunter richard thorne found a man’s skeletal remains in a brushy area under the rock island railroad viaduct across the chariton river one and three quarters of a mile south of chariton, iowa, in lucas county. Papers and a wallet adjacent to the remains identified him as fred sanders, a u.S. Army veteran who served during world war ii with the 745th american anti-aircraft artillery gun battalion.

Agency

Iowa

Name

George Keller

Age

61

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

George raymond keller, a 61-year-old world war ii veteran, was found dead in his rural clarke county, iowa home in the early morning hours on tuesday, september 29, 1981.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Harry Milligan

Age

21

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Light the night charity event and fun ride” is set for saturday, july 9 on the albia square. The day will begin with the harry milligan charity bike ride organized by alex weldon. A car show organized by john carter begins at 2 p.M. With live music from nashville artist jake mcvey to follow. There will also be a live auction and vendors will be set up on the square’s west side.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Helen Morrow

Age

55

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Mrs. Helen morrow was found lying on a bed in a first floor room of her fire-ravaged two-story home in eldon, ia, on august 12, 1980. An autopsy report showed she died of smoke inhalation. Herman pierce, 48, also of eldon, was charged tuesday, aug. 26, 1980, with first-degree murder in morrow’s death, but a grand jury refused to return any indictments against him.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Jackie Douthart

Age

24

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Jackie leigh douthart, the mother of a small child, was reported missing to the mount pleasant police department on may 22, 2011, when she didn’t return home after a night out with friends. When last seen, jackie was wearing a zebra-striped shirt, a black vest, blue jeans and flip flops. Douthart’s disappearance, along with that of elizabeth syperda — a 22-year-old mount pleasant woman who went missing july 17, 2000 — frustrated both investigators and residents of mount pleasant, a city of about 8,700 people in southeastern iowa

Agency

Iowa

Name

James Chamberlain

Age

41

Cause of Death

Blunt Force Trauma

Info

James chamberlain, a carpenter who lived on ottumwa’s south side, was found lying in mud and water in the des moines river beneath the wabash railroad trestle in the city’s old richmond section on thursday, may 25, 1893. Chamberlain, 41, suffered blunt force trauma injuries to his head after having been hit with a heavy object. Though still conscious when discovered by authorities, chamberlain died from the skull fracture four days later on may 29, 1893

Agency

Iowa

Name

John Hill

Age

51

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On monday, november 22, 1976, at approximately 5:06 a.M., two young men found john robert hill, 51, lying face down in a small room at the ottumwa launderette that hill owned and operated on east main street in ottumwa

Agency

Iowa

Name

Joseph Payne

Age

72

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

During the great depression, joseph payne happened to be in a chariton, iowa, grocery store where a woman and child stood ahead of him in line. The woman had lost her husband, had no job, and needed food to feed her child. She tried to purchase a few basic grocery items. She didn’t have enough money, the store clerk told her, and would have to put some of the items back. Payne did not hesitate to act; he not only paid for all the woman’s groceries, but handed her some additional cash — “to be used for her and the child,” he said. Payne was not a wealthy man, but had never married, had no children of his own, and didn’t drink; he owned his own home at 15th and armory, where he’d lived alone 40 years, and used what extra money he had to help others.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Lloyd Patrick

Age

85

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On wednesday, oct. 27, 1982, retired oskaloosa farmer lloyd john patrick, 85, was murdered in his rural mahaska county home before someone set the house ablaze. Patrick was shot to death early on wednesday before his house was set on fire, presumably by his assailant, said iowa division of criminal investigation (dci) chief gerald shanahan in an announcement on friday, oct. 29, 1982.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Mary Green

Age

59

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On september 27, 1987, mary ann green was found stabbed to death in her oskaloosa, iowa, mobile home, located in the spring creek mobile park on highway 23 south in mahaska county. Mary ann’s murder fell under the jurisdiction of the mahaska county sheriff’s office, whose solid investigative skills quickly led to the arrest of green’s stepson, richard lee green, and his acquaintance, david kelly yant.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Melvin Adams

Age

55

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Melvin royale adams, a 55-year-old royal canadian air force veteran, was found dead in a small cabin south of agency, iowa, just off cemetery road near the cliffland bridge on february 13, 1983. The cabin was located on property owned by the coghlan family. Adams, who had celebrated his 55th birthday just five days earlier, had been partially decapitated.

Agency

Iowa

Name

John Franklin Sr

Age

35

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

John franklin, sr., 35, a central iowa factory worker, and his 22-year-old wife michelle were shot to death in their eddyville, iowa, home some time between 10 p.M. And midnight on tuesday, january 3, 1978, in what officials called a double homicide.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Michelle Franklin

Age

22

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

John franklin, sr., 35, a central iowa factory worker, and his 22-year-old wife michelle were shot to death in their eddyville, iowa, home some time between 10 p.M. And midnight on tuesday, january 3, 1978, in what officials called a double homicide.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Willard Woodring

Age

42

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Willard c. Woodring, the 42-year-old owner of the former hawkeye hotel in keokuk, iowa, and richard g. Buchanan, 42, of colona, illinois, were taken into the hotel’s kitchen on sunday, october 9, 1960, where they were bound, gagged, and then shot in the back of the head when they tried to flee.Keokuk police discovered the bodies that evening after someone phoned authorities to report a shooting at the well-known house of prostitution.Police chief george jones said police immediately launched a 3-state search for a youthful-looking man and woman.Witnesses described the man as about 25 years old with black hair and clad in a black leather jacket. The woman, about 22-23 years old, was described as having short red hair and wearing a lavender dress.According to the gazette, authorities said they thought the pair were armed with an automatic pistol and driving a car with illinois license plates.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Richard Buchanan

Age

49

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Willard c. Woodring, the 42-year-old owner of the former hawkeye hotel in keokuk, iowa, and richard g. Buchanan, 42, of colona, illinois, were taken into the hotel’s kitchen on sunday, october 9, 1960, where they were bound, gagged, and then shot in the back of the head when they tried to flee.Keokuk police discovered the bodies that evening after someone phoned authorities to report a shooting at the well-known house of prostitution.Police chief george jones said police immediately launched a 3-state search for a youthful-looking man and woman.Witnesses described the man as about 25 years old with black hair and clad in a black leather jacket. The woman, about 22-23 years old, was described as having short red hair and wearing a lavender dress.According to the gazette, authorities said they thought the pair were armed with an automatic pistol and driving a car with illinois license plates.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Rick Davis

Age

36

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Rick lynne davis, 36, died july 20, 1986, at his oskaloosa residence from a gunshot wound to the head. Police ruled the death a suicide, but while reviewing police and autopsy records, his daughter, monica speaks, began to ask questions.The following information about davis’ case and the new law denying his daughter access to the records is reported below by des moines register reporter jason clayworth.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Robert Ruby

Age

54

Cause of Death

Undetermined

Info

Robert ruby, a 54-year-old blakesburg miner, fell 87 feet to his death on saturday, january 11, 1936, down the shaft of the bidwell fuel co. Mine on the henry oswalt farm, one mile south of christiansburg.An ottumwa courier article dated july 13, 1936, said most of the bones in ruby’s body were broken in the mishap, which occurred, coroner john drake said, when ruby wheeled an empty coal car into the open shaft. Both ruby and the coal car fell to the bottom of the mine shaft.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Timothy Earney

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Timothy c. Earney, 29, was found dead in his 322 n. Eighth st. Albia home on thursday, feb. 2, 1984, by his live-in girlfriend, dorothy lee kempf, 45. According to kempf, earney drove her to work at kendall school at 7 a.M. And was supposed to pick her up at 1 p.M. When he didn’t show up, kempf said she walked home and found earney lying on the living room floor

Agency

Iowa

Name

William Douglas Sr

Age

63

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 11, 2004, family members of william leroy douglas, sr., 63, reported to the clarke county sheriff’s office in osceola that mr. Douglas had disappeared from his rural woodburn, iowa residence.Douglas was last seen at approximately 10:30 a.M. On wednesday, february 4, at his residence in the vicinity of the 3000 block of pacific street. (some reports provide the time as 1:30 p.M.)he may have been dressed in black “carhartt” bib overalls, “wrangler” jeans, a light green jacket and black boots.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dr William Hamilton

Age

33

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Dr. William orson hamilton, 33, was shot to death in marysville, iowa, on november 26, 1900.According to a knoxville journal article by l.A. Gee published september 25, 1930, a knoxville contractor building marysville’s new school was the first to know the tragedy occurred.K.L. Bush saw dr. Hamilton stagger and fall at the door of the vanskiver home, and was dead before dr. Hughes could arrive.Domestic trouble, the journal reported, was said to have been brewing for some time in the fred ahn family and rumor had it that dr. Hamilton was involved.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Timothy Earney

Age

29

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Monroe County Sheriff's Office

Name

Star Boomer

Age

39

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

On the evening of february 23, 1999, star boomer was patron of uncle mike’s bar at 49th and metropolitan in kansas city, kansas. Boomer had gone to the tavern with her roommate. The friend had a drink and headed home, planning to return in a few hours to pick up her roommate. When she arrived at the bar, she was told that boomer had left with two men. Witnesses say boomer was involved in a violent altercation with a man believed to be lifelong criminal with a history of violent behavior, particularly toward women. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to call the kansas city police department at 913-573-6000

Agency

Kansas City Police Department

Name

Tyszu Smith

Age

34

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Kansas City Police Department

Name

Marcell Smith

Age

36

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Kansas City Police Department

Name

Robert Barnes

Age

37

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Kansas City Police Department

Name

Ki'essence Pelton

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 7/7/2019 ki’essence was shot and killed at 39th street and myrtle. She was the front passenger in a vehicle that was driving west on 39th street when someone started shooting. She was an innocent victim minding her own business. Det. Crowell is the case detective and can be reached at 816-234-5413

Agency

Kansas City

Name

James Allen

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 05-29-2023 at 1910 hours, officers were dispatched to 3340 colorado avenue on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, officers located the victim seated in a vehicle and suffering from apparent gunshot injuries. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City

Name

Zechariah Washington

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 05-23-2023 at 1238 hours, officers were dispatched to 8239 forest avenue on a report of sounds of shots. Upon arrival, officers located the victim who was lying in the roadway suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. He was transported to the hospital where he succumbed to his injuries. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City

Name

Terry Lovingood

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 04-29-2023 at 0059 hours, officers were dispatched to gregory blvd. And paseo blvd. On a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they located a white jeep cherokee in westbound lanes of gregory blvd. Just east of paseo blvd. Inside the jeep, officers located the two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Ems responded and declared the victims deceased on scene. During the investigation, it was determined the victims were at a party nearby and were involved in altercation that led to both of them being shot. It is believed the victims were attempting to drive to a nearby hospital before they succumbed to their injuries. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City

Name

Joshua Ellison

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 04-29-2023 at 0059 hours, officers were dispatched to gregory blvd. And paseo blvd. On a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they located a white jeep cherokee in westbound lanes of gregory blvd. Just east of paseo blvd. Inside the jeep, officers located the two victims suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. Ems responded and declared the victims deceased on scene. During the investigation, it was determined the victims were at a party nearby and were involved in altercation that led to both of them being shot. It is believed the victims were attempting to drive to a nearby hospital before they succumbed to their injuries. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City

Name

Terrell Farrow

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 04-27-2023 at 2228 hours, officers were dispatched to research medical center on a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they were informed by hospital staff that the victim had an apparent gunshot wound to his head and was unresponsive. On 05-03-2023 the victim succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased. During the investigation, it was determined the victim was shot while inside a moving vehicle in the area of 71 hwy. And 33 st. After attending the nfl draft. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City

Name

Justin Treadway

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 04-25-2023 at 0144 hours, officers were dispatched to 39 st. And spruce ave. On an event with ems. Upon arrival, officers located the victim just south of 41 st. And spruce ave. Suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Ems confirmed the victim to be deceased on scene. Several spent shell casings were located around the victim. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City

Name

Marcus Bewley-Perez

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 02-20-2023 at 2247 hours, officers were dispatched to nb us 71 hwy. And red bridge rd. On a reported shooting. Upon arrival, they located two vehicles involved in an accident off the roadway. In one of those vehicles, they located a male suffering from an apparent gunshot wound who was then transported research medical center. On 02-23-2023 the victim succumbed to his injuries and was declared deceased. During the investigation, it was determined the occupants of two moving vehicles were involved in an altercation that led to the shooting. Contact the homicide unit at 816-234-5043 with any information.

Agency

Kansas City