Van Meter, IA Area Cold Cases

Name

Adriel Ward

Age

33

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On saturday, feb. 11, 2017, adriel ward, 33, was shot at about 9:37 p.M. Before he crashed into a utility pole in the 1700 block of delaware avenue on des moines’ northeast side. He was rushed to a hospital, where he died the next day.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Alice Alstine

Age

28

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On a cold friday night, march 26, 1976, alice van alstine — a 28-year-old former “minutemen” sympathizer who’d recently abandoned the right-wing paramilitary organization — tucked her children into bed at their 29th st. Des moines apartment and then vanished into thin air, never to be seen or heard from again. Her purse and money were found in the apartment, and despite the near-freezing 37º outside temperature, she’d also disappeared without her coat or shoes.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Anna Miller

Age

57

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Fifty-seven-year-old anna t. Miller — a secretary at the pittsburgh-des moines steel company (pdm) — was discovered deceased in her des moines home on monday, july 10, 1978, after failing to report to work.Miller’s brother, merle miller, discovered his sister’s body in the living room of her home at 3531 54th street after following up on a phone call from his sister’s co-worker.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Annamarie Rittman

Age

46

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Annamarie rittman, a 46-year-old employee at the lowe’s store in altoona, iowa, was struck down by a pickup that swerved into her on december 27, 2005. The mother of three was walking through the store’s parking lot just before 5:30 a.M. When video cameras captured on tape a red four-door ford pickup truck running her down and hitting her from behind

Agency

Iowa

Name

Anthony Williams

Age

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Anthony williams was killed in des moines, iowa, on january 8, 1998. If you have any information about this unsolved murder please contact the des moines police department at (515) 283-4864.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Arlys Ponce

Age

42

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Arlys ponce — a 42-year-old mother of three — was found dead on the floor of her norwalk, iowa home on october 8, 1997. Ponce’s son had arrived at the residence at approximately 3:15 p.M., and when his mother failed to answer the door, he peered through a window and saw her body lying on the floor. The son contacted a neighbor, telling her he couldn’t get into the house but that he could see his mother lying on the floor. The neighbor contacted police, who entered the residence and discovered arlys ponce had been beaten and stabbed to death.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Ashley Okland

Age

27

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Ashley okland, a 27-year-old iowa realty agent, was shot twice and killed shortly before 2 p.M. On friday, april 8, 2011, while working inside a west des moines model townhouse. A rottlund homes employee heard a commotion inside the model townhouse at 558 stone creek court — part of the stone creek villas subdivision near 84th st. And e.P. True parkway in des moines developed by rottlund homes — and went to investigate. Inside, the worker discovered okland on the floor and called 911.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Barbara Perry

Age

61

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Barbara perry, 61, was struck in the head by a stray bullet at 3:23 p.M. On friday, sept. 2, 2016, while waiting for her 10-year-old granddaughter in the parking lot of the family dollar at 1251 university ave. In des moines.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Becky Palmer

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Becky palmer was killed in des moines, iowa, on november 16, 1990.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Beth Ricketts

Age

31

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Beth ann ricketts, a 31-year-old military veteran and mother of three young children, vanished from des moines, iowa, on monday, dec. 22, 1997, under suspicious circumstances.

Agency

Iowa

Name

James Wood

Age

79

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Late on saturday night, july 30, 2011, the home of bill and kay wood of rural norwalk, iowa, was destroyed by fire. Around midnight and into early sunday morning, five fire departments responded to 2698 highway r-63 in greenfield township just south of des moines’ city limits and the des moines international airport.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Kaidena Wood

Age

72

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Late on saturday night, july 30, 2011, the home of bill and kay wood of rural norwalk, iowa, was destroyed by fire. Around midnight and into early sunday morning, five fire departments responded to 2698 highway r-63 in greenfield township just south of des moines’ city limits and the des moines international airport.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Brandy Ratliff Jr

Age

31

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Brandy ratliff, jr. Was killed in a drive-by shooting while sitting on a couch inside his cousin’s home at 1608 e. Capitol ave. In des moines on sunday, october 19, 2008. Jesus garcia, 35, and his nephew, alfredo garcia, 13, were arrested and charged with first-degree murder shortly after the shooting, but police later determined witnesses lied to them and charges were dropped.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Bryan Howser

Age

33

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Bryan ashley howser, 33, was reported missing to the des moines police department on april 4, 2001. He was last seen wearing black jeans and a black hawkeye sweatshirt. Polk county in iowa polk county in iowa des moines in polk countydes moines in polk county howser married anne marie mathes, 18, in december 1998, and both were later charged with conspiracy to commit theft. Howser served time in prison, but vanished after his release.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Bryan Pence

Age

21

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Bryan eugene pence, a 21-year-old sinclair service station employee, was shot in the back around 10 p.M. On thursday, may 29, 1986, during a store robbery at 3725 frederick m. Hubbell ave. In des moines. Des moines police detective charles soderquist discovered pence’s body after driving by the service station and seeing, through the glass, three individuals walking toward the gas station’s restroom inside the facility.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Camille Njus

Age

20

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On wednesday, october 18th — 74 days after her disappearance — a city employee discovered her partially clad body buried beneath some brush and logs near the des moines river in a deserted area known as the flint access.Due to decomposition, an autopsy failed to determine cause of death but officials said they believed foul play was involved. The body was identified through dental records.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Cecil DuBois

Age

73

Cause of Death

Injury

Info

Cecil dubois, 73, was robbed and then beaten in his 1322 23rd street home in des moines, iowa, on november 15, 1974. He was transported to a local hospital, where he later died. Polk county medical examiner dr. R.C. Wooters ruled dubois’s cause of death as heart and liver failed resulting from injuries sustained during the beating.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Emanuel Burgs Jr II

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Her 22-year-old daughter, celestina payano, had been found sept. 12, 2002, in a home on des moines’ north side along with emanuel burgs jr. Ii, 21, of des moines, both bound and shot to death.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Celestina Payano

Age

22

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Her 22-year-old daughter, celestina payano, had been found sept. 12, 2002, in a home on des moines’ north side along with emanuel burgs jr. Ii, 21, of des moines, both bound and shot to death.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Charles Sanders

Age

67

Cause of Death

Injury

Info

On saturday, april 17, 1954, two des moines youth fishing along a river bank spotted a body floating in the water and notified police. Thomas spagnola, 14, of 924 second avenue, and harry piagentini, 15, of 4200 s.E. Sixteenth street, discovered the body caught in an obstruction near the des moines river’s west bank beneath the court avenue bridge. The body, clothed in long underwear, a t-shirt and socks, was taken to dunn’s funeral home where fingerprints were taken to establish the victim’s identity.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Christopher Stewart

Age

36

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Christopher stewart was last seen after 10:30 p.M. On august 17, 2003, outside his apartment in the vicinity of the 600 block of 18th street in des moines, iowa. He has never been heard from again. He has been described as a 5-foot-9 white male weighing about 185 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes. His classification is listed as being physically endangered.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Colleen Wright

Age

53

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Colleen wright, 53, was reported missing to the des moines police department in des moines on july 21, 2011. She is described as a 5-foot-6 white female weighing about 200 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a flowered blouse, blue jean shorts and red flip flops. She has a tattoo on her left shoulder.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Connie Bodensteiner

Age

24

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On tuesday, august 8, 1995, connie jo choate bodensteiner was found locked in a basement storage bin at a south-side des moines apartment complex. An autopsy showed the 24-year-old had been strangled. A maintenance worker discovered bodensteiner’s body, which had a strap or belt around the young mother’s neck.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Cordell Kirby

Age

46

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Cordell r. Kirby — also known as ameer-hassan mateen — was killed in des moines, iowa, on august 2, 1999. Kirby, while incarcerated at the iowa state penitentiary in december 1980, was a member of the islamic faith and one of seven appellees who filed a complaint pursuant to 42 u.S.C. § 1983, alleging numerous claims against officials of the penitentiary for violation of the inmates’ rights to exercise their religion. The inmates sought money damages and injunctive relief. The district court found “the plaintiffs have not been discriminated against because of their religious beliefs.” nevertheless, the court ordered various forms of equitable relief against the prison officials.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Robert Poffenberger

Age

30

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Robert “corey” poffenberger was shot and killed early friday morning october 24, 2003, in the driveway of his 2211 east 37th st. Home in des moines. The 30-year-old mediacom employee had been shot several times in the chest, and was found outside the open door of his vehicle, the car still idling. Poffenberger’s wallet was left untouched, and officials found nothing missing from his home.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Cyrus Hicks

Age

24

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On thursday, march 3, 2011, cyrus james “c.J.” hicks, 24, became des moines’ first 2011 homicide when he was shot in the head and killed outside an apartment building near 29th street and boston avenue. Two 911 calls about a shooting prompted police to be dispatched just after midnight. Officers found hicks on a sidewalk between two buildings at the oakview terrace apartments on the city’s northwest side.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Da’Bryan Smith

Age

20

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Just hours after having thanksgiving dinner with his 1-year-old son, girlfriend, and grandmother, da’bryan smith, 20, of des moines, was struck by gunfire while hanging out with friends in a gas station parking lot. At about 6:50 p.M. On nov. 24, 2016, des moines police responded to git-n-go, 816 e. Euclid ave., where several gunshots had been fired at the group of people standing outside the convenience store, according to a des moines police news release. While investigating the scene, officers learned that smith had been struck by the gunfire and taken by his friends in a private vehicle to broadlawns medical center, where he later died. Sandra smith, of des moines, said she raised da’bryan smith as his adoptive grandmother. In a des moines register article dated nov. 25, 2016, she called him a hard worker, a good person, and a loving father to his 1-year-old son.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Darleen Fitchett

Age

28

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Darleen may fitchett (first name oftentimes spelled darlene), a 28-year-old mother of three young children, was stabbed to death in her 608 east pleasant view drive home in des moines on tuesday night, january 19, 1960.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Darnell Lee

Age

26

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Darnell lee, 26, and jason a. Smith, 30, were killed in a shooting in the 1800 block of easton boulevard in des moines on saturday, june 17, 2017. At the time, police said the shooting, which occurred in the martin luther king jr. Park neighborhood, apparently stemmed from a fight at an after-hours gathering. No one has been arrested in the double homicide. The deaths marked the 17th and 18th homicides in des moines for 2017. More information on the shootings follows.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Jason Smith

Age

30

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Darnell lee, 26, and jason a. Smith, 30, were killed in a shooting in the 1800 block of easton boulevard in des moines on saturday, june 17, 2017. At the time, police said the shooting, which occurred in the martin luther king jr. Park neighborhood, apparently stemmed from a fight at an after-hours gathering. No one has been arrested in the double homicide. The deaths marked the 17th and 18th homicides in des moines for 2017. More information on the shootings follows.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Darrell Lewis Sr

Age

39

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Darrell r. Lewis sr., 39, was found shot to death in des moines, iowa, around 12:40 a.M. On sunday morning, december 24, 1995. Police said lewis — who had a lengthy police record — was found between two parked cars in the 2100 block of carpenter avenue on the city’s northwest side. Lewis was found clutching two small bags of a substance, which police said proved to be crack cocaine. In a des moines register article dated christmas day 1995, lewis’ mother, rosa lee brown, said her son had been living at home with her and that she’d spoken to him around midnight, just 40 minutes before his body was found. He’d sounded lonely, she said.

Agency

Iowa

Name

David Marchan

Age

18

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

David marchan was reported missing to the des moines police department in des moines on january 1, 2001. He usually wears docker-type pants and button-down collared shirts. His left ear is pierced. He has tattoos on his chest (hands), and the words “en memoria de mi jefecito” and the word “dice.”

Agency

Iowa

Name

David Morris

Age

68

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On thursday evening, february 22, 1973, david “dave” morris, 68, was shot in the back of the head behind the meat counter at morris foods, the supermarket he owned at 2550 maury street in des moines. Two empty .32-caliber shell casings lay near his body.

Agency

Iowa

Name

David Shumpert

Age

27

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

David l. Shumpert, a 27-year-old us navy veteran and father of two young sons, was shot in the chest in the 400 block of e. Locust street in des moines shortly after 10 p.M. On thursday, december 2, 1999. Earlier that evening, shumpert — who resided at 1447 e. 19th st. In des moines — had borrowed a friend’s pontiac and been involved in a collision with a cadillac close to where the shooting later took place. Shumpert also had allegedly engaged in an argument with another man inside the hotspot nightclub, located at 430 e. Locust street, shortly before the shooting occurred.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dennis Moore

Age

46

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Dennis “patrick” moore, a us marine corps veteran who served in vietnam, survived a war only to return stateside and be shot while sleeping in his car. Moore, 46, was living in des moines and, like many other veterans, faced challenges that led to homelessness. In the early morning hours on friday, june 29, 1992, as moore lay sleeping in his car behind a house on the city’s north side, someone shot him in the chest. Police believed the shooting was a robbery attemp

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dennis Strable

Age

59

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Dennis dean strable, 59, was shot and killed at approximately 4:33 a.M. Sunday, july 24, 2016, while riding his bicycle near 45th street and kingman boulevard in des moines while on his way to visit a friend. Des moines police department patrol officers responded to the area to investigate a report of gunshots being fired, where they found the male victim deceased at the scene. Strable’s friend, wayne rodgers, was just a six-minute bike ride away, and rodgers began to worry when his friend, whom he called “uncle dennis,” didn’t show up, rodgers said in a des moines register article dated july 25, 2016. Hours later, rodgers learned his friend had become the city’s seventh homicide victim that year.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Diane Schofield

Age

21

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

On thursday afternoon, july 10, 1975, a young woman’s badly decomposed body was found in the trunk of a tan 1966 rambler in a parking lot at southwest 20th and porter near the des moines airport. Polk county in iowa polk county in iowa des moines in polk countydes moines in polk county dr. R.C. Wooters, polk county medical examiner, identified the victim as 21-year-old diane marie schofield. Schofield, a divorcée with a 5-year-old daughter, lived at 2931 cottage grove in des moines and had worked in des moines as a waitress and a masseuse. Wooters said an autopsy indicated schofield died of strangulation.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Donald Graspy Jr

Age

46

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Donald eugene graspy, jr., 46, was found dead in the garage of a vacant house at 1104 fremont st. In des moines just past noon on thursday, july 17, 2003. According to a des moines register article dated july 18, 2003, graspy, who allegedly was homeless, was dead when paramedics arrived. Police said another homeless man, known as jeff, who had been sleeping at the garage with graspy, told graspy’s niece, jennifer robbe of 1102 e. 12th st., that there was something wrong with her uncle.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Donald Hebert

Age

43

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Donald ray hebert, 43, was found dead in his 3115 sw mckinley avenue home in des moines on tuesday, september 9, 1980, after failing to show up for his job with united airlines at the des moines airport. According to des moines police, hebert died from a single gunshot wound to the head. Polk county in iowa polk county in iowa des moines in polk countydes moines in polk county a des moines register article dated sept. 10, 1980, said hebert worked the 1 to 10 p.M. Shift the previous day, and afterward had gone to a southside tavern to watch the last half of the monday night football game.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Donald Nervig

Age

52

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Donald amos nervig, a 52-year-old businessman who resided at 1331 mattern ave. In des moines, went missing tuesday night, december 14, 1965, at about 9 p.M. Polk county in iowa polk county in iowa des moines in polk countydes moines in polk county more than a month later on wednesday, january 26, 1966, two young boys out sledding discovered nervig’s frozen body in an ice and snow-bound gully five miles northwest of des moines just off n.W. Sixth drive. Polk county medical examiner dr. Leo d. Luka said cause of death was a skull fracture resulting from a blow to the back of the head by a heavy instrument.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Earl Hamilton

Age

53

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Big earl hamilton was already considered somewhat legendary before the very thing that brought him fame brought him down with a single bullet to the head. In 1994, “big earl’s goldmine” — a strip club business on the outskirts of des moines in polk county, iowa that hamilton owned and operated — became the county’s first topless and bottomless “juice bar” — a club which serves no alcohol and therefore is beyond the regulation of state liquor authorities.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Earl Lambert

Age

58

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Earl j. Lambert, 58, was found dead beneath the e. 14th street viaduct bridge in des moines at about 1 a.M. On october 1, 1962. Railroad employees found lambert’s body on railroad tracks, but authorities said they did not believe lambert — who worked for the des moines central railroad — had been struck by a train. They also said they did not believe he fell from a moving train.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Emma Lewis

Age

80

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Emma lewis was found dead in her waukee, iowa home on monday, september 13, 1976. The 80-year-old lewis had died from blows suffered during a severe beating.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Eric Jones

Age

1

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Seven-month-old eric jones was killed may 3, 1993 at his 510 payton avenue home in southwest des moines. Des moines police list his death as an unsolved homicide.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Ernest Lilly Sr

Age

50

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Ernest harold lilly sr. — a 50-year-old us navy world war ii veteran — was shot on tuesday, september 11, 1973, during an attempted robbery at “frank’s place,” a tavern located at 3940 mcdonald in des moines. Polk county in iowa polk county in iowa des moines in polk countydes moines in polk county lilly and his 45-year-old wife, ruth — the parents of four children — were helping the owners, frank and lena shineflew, restock the bar while frank recovered from surgery. The bar had just closed, and while his wife stood in the tavern’s doorway, lilly went out to start their car and warm it up. Suddenly a man appeared, shot lilly, and began rifling through his pockets. The robber then broke out one of the vehicle’s windows before reaching inside to steal a six-pack of beer. Ruth lilly stood frozen in the doorway, and the robber looked up and began to laugh before lena shineflew grabbed her and pulled her back inside to safety.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Eugene Martin

Age

13

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On sunday morning, august 12, 1984, 13-year-old eugene martin left his home at approximately 5 a.M. To deliver the des moines register newspaper in the des moines area. He wore blue jeans, a red shirt and a gray pullover. Eugene normally delivered the papers with his older stepbrother, but on this day went alone. The iowa state fair was in town, and eugene — who in his free time enjoyed football, fishing, skating, video games and tv — wanted to make some extra money. Witnesses said they saw martin talking to a clean-cut white male in his 30s sometime between 5 and 5:45 a.M. At southwest 12th street and highview drive. Some stated the two appeared to be engaged in a friendly “father-son” sort of conversation, and others recalled seeing the teen folding papers and talking to the man sometime between 5:45 and 6:05 a.M.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Floyd Alborn

Age

76

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Floyd william alborn, a 76-year-old bachelor, was found shot to death in his rural panora, iowa, home on friday evening, november 8, 1974. Alborn lived alone at his farm on the guthrie and dallas county line one-fourth mile north of highway 44. His sister and brother-in-law, freda and lawrence mills, discovered his body, the guthrian reported on monday, november 25, 1974.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Floyd Cramer

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Floyd cramer was killed in des moines, iowa, on december 9, 1960.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Frank Goff

Age

36

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Es moines — roxanne beck was just entering her teen years 33 years ago when her father, frank goff of des moines, was murdered. And the killer, goff’s children believe, was one of his own brothers. Now, there will never be an arrest and there will never be justice. Goff’s brothers are both dead.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Frederico Thompson

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Frederico ceon thompson, 18, was shot and killed on jan. 1, 2017, at about 3:36 a.M. When a fight broke out at ‘the 508,’ a troubled nightclub at 508 indianola ave. In des moines’ indianola hills neighborhood. He was the father of a young daughter. During a vigil three days later, mourners delivered a prevailing message: stop the violence in des moines. No one has been charged in his death.

Agency

Iowa