Whitefish, MT Area Cold Cases

Name

Randy Church

Age

23

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Bozeman Police Department

Name

Marsha Helgeson

Age

21

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The body of this 21 year old billings woman was found in the moming hours of september 9th, 1978 on alkali creek road in the billings heights. The victim frequented the old 17 club and other bars and was last seen at the old sambo's restaurant on first avenue north. Several suspects were questioned during the investigation but no arrests were made.

Agency

YellowStone County

Name

Corina Contreraz

Age

16

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

This young 16 year old southside billings girl's body was found near the pryor creek & 1-90 interchange where pryor creek road inter-sects with indian creek road. Numerous suspects were identified during the course of the original investigation.

Agency

YellowStone County

Name

George Heinrich

Age

58

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

This double homicide was one of the most high profile murders in the county's history. 58 year old george heinrich and 42 year old marlene mazzola had been dating for approximately a month before they were found murdered heinrich's home on highway 312 east of billings. Heinrich was a local business man who bought and sold cattle. Mazzola was a district manager for avon products in the billings area. The bodies were discovered by heinrich's adopted daughter.

Agency

YellowStone County

Name

Judy Hatten

Age

48

Cause of Death

Beaten

Info

The body of 48 year old judy hatten was found by her boyfriend in her home at 1030 12th avenue in laurel on the morning of march 11, 1995. Hatten was beaten to death. She had no known enemies and no motive for the crime has been established. In 2012, the laurel police department tumed the case over to the yellowstone county sheriff's office cold case unit for further investigation.

Agency

YellowStone County

Name

Glenn Cawley

Age

55

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Twin Falls Sheriff's Office

Name

Stephen Hughes

Age

47

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On january 13, 1986 stephen’s truck was found abandoned at his place of business in bountiful, utah. He was last seen wearing a baseball cap and a red plaid shirt. He may have a mustache. He had shingles on his left side. He has heart problems and may be in need of medical attention.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Sydnee Porter

Age

33

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Sydnee has been missing since 1981. The only information is she was last seen with oscar baker. Oscar baker is now deceased. There has been no contact with sydnee.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Thomas Novak

Age

12

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Thomas novak was last seen on 7/25/1958 wearing a tan shirt and blue jeans. The tipster stated that thomas was most likely autistic and did not have a good home life. Reading some newspaper articles at the time it is stated that thomas would often hitch rides or stow away on trucks and may have been trying to get to fernyl nevada or idaho at the time he went missing.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Albert Spatz

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 11, 1988, ogden resident albert william spatz reported he was robbed on the sidewalk in front of 2450 monroe boulevard, ogden, utah. Albert told officers he had gotten off a bus at 25th street and monroe and was walking north on the east side of the street. Albert said he saw the suspect running at him from the “alley by the holly rue apartments.”albert said the suspect demanded, “give me your money.” when albert told the suspect he had no money the suspect “knocked” him to the ground rendering him unconscious and causing him to strike his head on the cement. After knocking albert out, the suspect stole his wallet containing $20 and fled back through the alley. Albert went to 803 24th street where he called police. Officers documented albert’s injuries, “a golf ball sized” lump on the upper right side of his head, a swollen right cheekbone, and a laceration on the inside of his mouth. Albert was transported by medical units to mckay-dee hospital.Albert described the suspect as a black male, 5’10, 150 pounds, with short hair. Albert did not recall seeing facial hair but said the suspect was wearing a black coat and tan pants.Officers checked the area but were unable to locate the suspect. Follow-up investigators learned albert had been released from the hospital to a friend, who gave him a ride. In the morning albert’s son, alan spatz was unable to wake him and took him to the hospital where he immediately was taken into surgery to drain blood from his brain and his head.After surgery, albert was placed in intensive care and never regained consciousness. On may 6, 1988, albert spatz died. An autopsy concluded albert died of complications of blunt head injury.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Alice Valdez

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 9/5/2019, the decomposed body of alice ann valdez was found in an ogden storage unit. It appeared the body had been moved from another location to the storage unit. Ogden investigators are looking for information about alice, her associates, or people who may have information about her death.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Andrew Hansen

Age

22

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Andrew jay hansen, 84, was found shot to death up ogden canyon on april 15, 1984.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Anthony Edwards

Age

37

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Anthony ray edwards, 37, of scenic, ariz., was was found lying in the middle of a dirt road west of u.S. 91 at 8:45 a.M. Anthony edwards died from multiple gunshot wounds.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Bertha Hughes

Age

81

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

Bertha, age 81, was last seen looking out her living room window of her home located at 3402 s. 500 e. At approximately 6:30pm on march 17, 1982. This was something she reportedly enjoyed doing. In the early morning hours of march 18, 1982 neighbors describe hearing yelling and commotion coming from bertha’s home. Different witness accounts describe suspicious activity around the house that night. A visiting nurse found bertha’s body later that morning. She had been assaulted and died of multiple blunt force trauma wounds. Bertha’s home showed signs of forced entry and it appears she struggled with her assailant(s).

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Brian Housley

Age

28

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

In the early morning hours of 11/27/2017 ogden police officers responded to a report of a person who had been shot. The caller said the victim was outside when he was shot by an unknown person. Officers found the victim outside of a residence with gunshot injuries. Witnesses said the victim said the victim was outside when gunshots were fired from a vehicle striking the victim. The victim was struck by the gunfire and fell to the ground. The suspect vehicle then sped away.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Carla Maxwell

Age

24

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The victim was found deceased at her place of employment. A 7-11 in layton located at 685 n. Main street. If you have any information contact the layton police.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Carson Thonsen

Age

49

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 9/5/2003, ogden police officers were sent to a report of a body in the 100 block of 25th street. Officers checked the area and located the male victim, carson thonsen. The victim was a transient who was camping with other transients in and around the area at the time of his death.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Corbin Mcguire

Age

19

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 8/20/2015, weber 911 received a phone call of a shooting and person down in the area of 2300 van buren avenue, ogden utah. The male victim was transported to the hospital where he was declared deceased from a gunshot injury. Investigations revealed mcguire was outside in the street when he was shot. A possible suspect vehicle was described in the area by witnesses but that lead has not led to the identification of the perpetrators.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Cyle Vankomen

Age

24

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The victim was located deceased on a living room floor. If you have any information contact the south ogden police.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Douglas Lee

Age

36

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

A man walking through the railroad yard located the victim deceased next to a parked train. The victim was homeless. If you have any information contact the salt lake police.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Francisco Lopez

Age

19

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On may 3, 2015 at 12:30 a.M. Ogden city police officers hear multiple gunshots in the area of 600 harrison blvd, ogden utah. Francisco (cisco)lopez was located near the area with gunshot injuries. Francisco was subsequently declared deceased. This remains an active and on going investigation and will be updated as information becomes available.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Gabriel Distefano

Age

14

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

14-year-old gabriel distefano was last seen going to a party in riverdale. It was the last time she was seen alive. Her body was found, wrapped in plastic, on sept. 16, 1982, in a ditch near a construction site in harrisville. She had been shot once in the head, according to police.A break came in gabrielle’s case last year, when detectives were able to link the case to another cold case, 21-year-old joyce gallegos, shot four days earlier. Investigators determined the bullets that killed both young women came from the same gun.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

George Gray

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

“on 10/13/1951 at 12:05 am, thomas crompton reported to ogden pd that the butcher george (bud) gray was “shot by a man attempting to hold them up for the money sack” as they were closing the front door of crompton’s ogden market, “gray was shot through the chest with a 38 caliber revolver and died at dee hospital.” in the 1951 police report officers were told thomas crompton, george gray and marjorie gray had just locked the front door to crompton pay-n-take-it market in ogden when a man approached them carrying a sack. The suspect demanded they go back inside the store. When told there was no money in the store, the suspect said he knew there was and made threats. As they went back inside they were directed to the back office where the suspect told them to open the safe. A struggle ensued and the guns discharged striking george gray. During the bloody fight, marjorie gray struck the suspect with a syrup can and a catsup bottle causing the suspect to drop the gun. Crompton picked up the gun and told mrs. Gray to call the police.As the suspect ran toward the front window of the store, crompton shot three times. The suspect threw a soda bottle through the front window and then climbed through the hole. The suspect was dripping blood on the sidewalk as he ran from the store. An ambulance took george gray to the dee hospital for emergency operation. The doctor operated for five hours, but george gray died approximately at 8:00 am.Investigators pursued a suspect who had escaped from the utah state prison and who was later captured in ohio during an armed robbery. News articles later indicate he was excluded as the suspect in this homicide.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

James Perkins

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 1, 2019, scott james perkins was found unconscious on a property located 1t 790 west 17th street, ogden, utah. It appeared scott had been assaulted and was transported to the hospital where on 6/10/2019, he died of his injuries. The medical examiner determined that scott died of injuries after being assaulted by another person. The manner of death was determined to be homicide. Investigators have followed leads in this investigation but have not identified the person (s) responsible for causing scott’s death.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Jeffrey Bancroft

Age

46

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 10/24/2008 at 0327 hours, ogden city police officers were dispatched to a single vehicle crash in the 1900 block of wall ave where a car had crashed into a building. The driver of the car was transported to the hospital where he was deceased. The initial investigation discovered the driver of the car had been shot. The victim/driver of the car, jeffrey allen bancroft, worked the graveyard shift at a business in ogden and was on his lunch break. Bancroft had driven to a a fast food business in the area of 36th and washington where he purchased food. Jeffrey was driving north on wall avenue in the 1900 block when his car crashed. Leads were pursued by investigators but a perpetrator has not been identified.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Jenny Atkinson

Age

31

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Jenny atkinson was reported missing on 7/23/2012 from brigham city, utah. On 8/10/2012 she was located deceased near mantua, utah. Although there were no obvious signs of foul play, an official cause of death could not be determined due to advanced decomposition. This case has been worked extensively to determine the circumstances surrounding jenny’s disappearance and death, but questions still remain.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Joyce Yost

Age

39

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Joyce went missing on 8/11/1985. Doug lovell was convicted of her murder. Her body has never been recovered. If you have any information on this case contact the south ogden police.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Kevin Nelson

Age

61

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The victim was located deceased on a living room floor. If you have any information contact the south ogden police.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Kwnimatsu Inouye

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

11/21/1961 kwnimatsu kay inouye was fatally injured during a robbery of his store, kay’s market, 227 25th street, ogden, utah. The robbery was discovered that morning, and mr. Inouye died later that night. Money was stolen from the store register and mr. Inouye’s wallet was missing. Mr. Inouye was found by a customer at 08:58 hours, bleeding from wounds to his head but still on his feet. Mr. Inouye was transported to the hospital, where he later died. An autopsy revealed he had been struck multiple times on his head causing skull fractures. The only clue initially provided to police was of a man wearing a dark green overcoat walking into the store around the time of the robbery. Ogden police investigators developed a person of interest in the crime, but that person has not been charged with the homicide, and in 1972, this case was described as unsolved.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Lucy Montoya

Age

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On 5/31/1988 at 0215 hours, an ogden resident called to report several people fighting at the marshall white center and heard glass breaking. When officers arrived, they did not see anyone in the area, but located lucy margaret montoya laying on the lawn at the northeast side of the center. Officers were unable to find pulse and summoned medical personnel. When paramedics checked lucy, they found she had been stabbed in the upper right area of her chest and she was deceased. Lucy was wearing a red, blue, yellow, and white plaid long sleeve shirt jacket, a white sleeveless cotton top with blue stripes, tan and brown polyester slacks with a checkered pattern, and pink ankle stockings. Lucy was clutching a pair of blue sandals in her left hand.The autopsy determined lucy margaret montoya died as a result of a single stab wound to the chest; cause of death stab wound of the chest and the manner of death was homicide.Investigators interviewed numerous people during their investigation but were unable to identify who stabbed lucy.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Marcos Vigil

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 10/24/2021, officers responded to a report of a death at an ogden residence. In the residence, officers located marcos vigil, who was deceased. The medical examiner determined the manner of death to be homicide. Investigators have not identified the person(s) responsible for the homicide of marcos manuel vigil.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Michael Johnston

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Johnston was last seen at an apartment in a brigham city motel in july 1981. Ruby matthew rebeterano was convicted of second-degree felony homicide in johnston’s death. An eyewitness said rebeterano got into an altercation with johnston, and she later saw reberterano carrying a large white bundle out of her apartment. Blood spatter was found in the apartment and johnston’s vehicle. Rebeterano was convicted of second-degree felony homicide and sentenced to prison. Rebeterano was released from custody after five years and now lives in salt lake city, utah.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Rico Mascherana

Age

74

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Rico, age 74, was at his home located at 3250 w. 3500 s. In the early morning hours of december 31, 1977. He was making repairs and was working under his kitchen sink when he was shot from outside the house through the kitchen window. Rico stood and went to the front porch after reportedly hearing loud pops, not yet realizing he’d been shot. He then proceeded to go back into his house once he realized he’d been injured to call police. Rico survived the initial life threatening injuries but succumbed to secondary complications a couple of months later. Robbery did not appear to be a motive in the shooting.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Robert Soto

Age

26

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 8/31/2013 at 0120 hours, ogden officers were dispatched to a shots fired call in an ogden neighborhood. Officers arrived in the area and located robert soto, lying on the sidewalk on his back. Soto was deceased at the scene when officers arrived. Witnesses said they heard gunshots, car doors slam and vehicle(s) accelerate from the area. Soto had left a group of friends in a back yard and walked out front to the sidewalk. When soto walked to the front of the houses, the shooting occurred.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Robert Crawford

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 5/13/1998 at 0126 hours, ogden city officers responded to a report of a shooting in front of 2238 jefferson avenue. When officers arrived, they found two victims suffering gunshot wounds, one being robert warnke crawford. Robert suffered critical injuries, and the second victim suffered non-life-threatening gunshot injuries. Investigators learned the two victims were walking past 2238 jefferson when a passing car fired shots, striking the pair. The vehicle fled the area. Robert’s injuries resulted in paralysis and on 9/01/1999, robert crawford died of injuries he sustained from this shooting.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Theresa Greaves

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Theresa was a huge fan of the osmonds, which is one of the reasons she moved from new jersey to utah. She was last seen at a trailer court in woods cross, utah on august 5, 1983. Theresa had intended to take the bus to a job interview in salt lake on this date; however, did not show up for the interview and did not return home. Theresa’s remains were found in fruit heights, utah on february 5, 2015. Theresa had several pen pals, some of whom were also osmond fans, and was known to many as “resa.”

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Stephanie Eldridge

Age

21

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

October 2020: kenneth jones, 32, pleaded guilty to voluntary manslaughter and concealment, and alteration or destruction of evidence on october 29, 2020. Jones admitted that he got into a fight with eldredge, pushed her, and she hit her head, leading to her death. In his panic, jones hid her body and lied to officers. Anyone who has any information about this case, the identity, or location of the suspect(s) is asked to contact the idaho falls police department at 208-529-1200

Agency

Idaho Falls Police Department

Name

Adam Brixey

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The complainant said adam brixey worked with his dad as they prepared an abandoned building at 26th street and adams avenue in ogden for demolition. Officers were told adam would return with a friend to the building after hours and they would look for metal and copper they could sell. On approximately september 20, 2015, adam never returned from the building. Officers were told the friend said adam left the building on his own while they were searching for copper in the building. The abandoned building was searched, but adam was not found. The building has since been demolished, and a new building has been built on the site. There has been no activity on adam brixey’s social security number, and his last known records show that he was in ogden. Ogden police are asking for any information to help in this case.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Angelica Quntana-Carrillo

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Angelica quintana-carrillo was last seen on march 7, 2019 in the area of hill field road and antelope drive in layton, utah

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Brenda Gomez

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Brenda may be in the company of her father and they may have traveled to mexico.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Frances Sessions

Age

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

On 5/20/1946, frances taylor (shurtleff) sessions, her son lee sessions (age 6) and her nephew, spencer roberts (age 6) were visiting frances’ father lee shurtleff who was farming in the 100 block above harrison in ogden, utah. At approximately 2:00 p.M. Frances and the two boys went on a hike straight east from the farm to bear cave. As they were hiking, they got into loose shale and began sliding. Frances, who was sliding herself tried to grab the boys but was unable and the boys fell over some cliffs. Frances was able to carry her son down the mountain but he died while she was carrying him. The other boy was able to walk part of the way down where he was picked up by lee shurtleff.Spencer was taken to the hospital and survived. At 4:00 p.M., two hours after her 6-year-old son lee was killed in a fall at bear cave on the mountain slope at the head of 2nd street, frances disappeared from her parent’s home. A missing person report was made by mrs. Tolhurst reporting frances left her father’s home, 916 26th street (ogden, utah) after the accident in which her son was killed and has not been seen since. Frances was described as “probably overcome with grief.” officers were given a description of frances and the clothing she was last seen wearing, 5’3, 97#, aring dark grey slacks, blue blouse, brown shoes, fair complexion. Officers were told frances was still wearing her clothes from the accident. Ogden police investigators pursued numerous leads across the united states, but frances has never been located and remains a missing person.

Agency

Utah Department of Public Safety

Name

Jenny Atkinson

Age

31

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Box County Sheriff's Department

Name

Rachael Runyan

Age

3

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Abducted from doxey elemetary school in sunset, utah. Her body was found nearly 20 miles away in the creek bed off a dirt road. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the sunset city police department at (801) 825-1620.

Agency

Sunset City Police Department

Name

Jesse Williams

Age

31

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 06/09/05 at about 5:00pm, Jesse and an associate met several Asian males at the Lake Stickney boat ramp parking lot. One of the Asian males went by the nickname, "China". The Asian males were in a tan/white Ford Bronco. Jesse was shot by one of the males while he was sitting in the car. His associate drove him to Stevens Hospital where he died.

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff

Name

Anthony Ferguson

Age

41

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 03/26/2005, the victim was found dead in his apartment in the 7400 block of Rainier Ave. In Everett.

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff

Name

Martin Williams

Age

87

Cause of Death

Arson

Info

On 07/10/1987, Martin died in a fire in his home in the 8200 block of 27th Ave NE, Marysville. The Fire Marshal's office has determined that this was arson.

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff

Name

Melissa Lee

Age

15

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 04/13/1993 at 9:30pm, Melissa was home alone. When family members arrived home about midnight, they found the door open and signs of a struggle inside. Melissa was missing. At about 3:00 the next afternoon, her body was found under the Edgewater Creek Bridge in the 3800 block of Mukilteo Blvd.

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff

Name

Veronica Nelson

Age

41

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 05/07/1990, Roni failed to show up for work at Boeing. Roni's body was found in her home in the 12700 block of 42nd Ave. NE, Marysville, by a co-worker who went there to check on her

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff

Name

Douglas Erlandson

Age

60

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On the morning of 12/16/2005, the victim was found at home with apparent head wounds and transported to a hospital where he died of his injuries. He lived in the 4300 block of 212th St SE, Bothell. Skip lived with his 18 year old son who found him unresponsive shortly before 8:30am. He was last seen the previous evening at about 8:00pm.

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff

Name

Louis Holmes

Age

43

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 08/28/1977, the victim was found shot to death in a driveway near his home in the 11500 block of Highway 99 South, Everett.

Agency

Snohomish County Sheriff