Cowles, NE Area Cold Cases

Name

Brianne Smith

Age

25

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Brianne smith, a 25-year-old mother of three, disappeared from omaha, neb., in april 2006. Her body was discovered in a mills county, iowa, roadside ditch west of glenwood on june 10, 2006. Mills county in iowa mills county in iowa glenwood in mills countyglenwood in mills county the mills county sheriff’s office and the iowa division of criminal investigation (dci) reported on july 18, 2006 that the human remains found were smith’s.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Debra Barajas

Age

44

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Debra (debbie) ann barajas was last seen on thursday afternoon, may 25, 2006, heading to the omaha vicinity of park avenue and leavenworth in omaha, neb. When she didn’t arrive, she was reported missing to the nebraska missing persons information clearinghouse. Mills county in iowa mills county in iowa glenwood in mills countyglenwood in mills county nearly six months later on tuesday, november 14, 2006, barajas’ remains were discovered in a pacific junction ravine northwest of glenwood, iowa, near the 54300 block of 195th street in mills county, iowa. The rural community’s population barely topped 500 people.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Evelyn Resh

Age

87

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Evelyn resh, 87, died tuesday, sept. 16, 1997 after someone deliberately set fire to the red oak apartment house where she lived alone. Her death is one from a group of “cold case” fire investigations resurrected in iowa in spring 2016. The cold cases became the focus in “arson awareness week,” as proclaimed by iowa gov. Terry branstad.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Gary Sebek

Age

20

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Gary eugene sebek, 20, spent the last day of his life going to work in the morning, being called away to witness the birth of his second child – a son – and leaving the hospital late that evening to return to his hamburg, iowa home, where he’d be slain that same night and his body removed from the premises.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Keara Coshow

Age

3

Cause of Death

Fire

Info

Keara lee coshow, a blind 3-year-old native american child living with her family in red oak, iowa, died thursday, july 12, 1979, in the hill top motel’s laundry room after her stepmother allegedly set the room afire. Keara, unconscious from an acute spinal cord injury sustained the previous evening (also allegedly at the hands of the stepmother), was carried into the laundry room shortly before the fire erupted.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Melvin Price

Age

26

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Around 4:30 a.M. Early sunday morning, november 17, 1974, a passing farragut truck driver discovered a body lying along iowa highway 42 near the foot of a hill about three miles west of riverton, iowa. He notified authorities, who identified the body as that of 26-year-old melvin price.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Julie Derrick

Age

19

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Julie derrick, 19, was last seen alive october 19, 1995. Her mother made a plea for her return. Julie’s body was found in o’fallon’s sand pit, weighted down. Forensic examination indicated she died shortly after her disappearance, but the cause of death was undetermined. Investigators believe it could have been a drug overdose.

Agency

Lincoln County Crimestoppers

Name

Leah Rowlands

Age

41

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Leah rowlands, 41, was shot and killed during an armed robbery at an amoco station. The suspect, a man in a red pontiac, killed rowlands and stole money and goods. Despite security footage aired on national tv, no suspect has been arrested.

Agency

Lincoln County Crimestoppers

Name

Jay Blockson

Age

23

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Jay blockson, 23, was found dead in a stand of trees. An autopsy determined broken ribs caused internal damage leading to his death. Investigators believe the notorious freight train riders of america gang might be responsible for his death.

Agency

Lincoln County Crimestoppers

Name

Ray Green

Age

55

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Ray "Sandy" green, 55, was found dead in an underground bunker, strangled. Investigators believe there was a struggle at the scene. The case remains open, but progress is slowed as one suspect in the case died of a heart attack.

Agency

Lincoln County Crimestoppers

Name

Mary Drake

Age

79

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Agency

Kansas Bureau of Investigation

Name

Ryan Bradley

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Ryan bradley went missing from his home in olathe, kansas on october 9, 2011. He had a scar on his left forearm and ankle, a bump below his left knee, and his left arm is "Bowed." he walked with a slight limp. His remains were found in the wooded area of 213th street and gardner road.

Agency

Johnson County Sheriff

Name

Tawnya Knight

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Tawnya was reported missing on december 8, 1996. Her remains were found in a farmer's field in spring hill, kansas on june 7, 1997. The case was ruled a homicide by the johnson county coroner following an autopsy.

Agency

Johnson County Sheriff

Name

Merton Dickson

Age

71

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 17, 1989, sometime between 8:20 p.M. And 8:30 p.M., merton "Mutt" dickson was murdered at the intersection of highway 385 and county road 7 in southern yuma county. "Mutt" was returning from burlington when he was killed. "Mutt" was a retired farmer and lived only a short distance from where he was killed. "Mutt" was 71 years old at the time of his death. On scene investigation would indicate that "Mutt" was shot several times. The victim was killed with a 9 millimeter weapon. "Mutt" was rushed to burlington hospital by the idalia ambulance where he was pronounced dead. Anyone with information regarding this case, is asked to please contact the yuma county sheriff's office.

Agency

Yuma County Sheriff's Office

Name

Christina Brandolese

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Christina's body was found at the end of a driveway in rural johnson county, kansas on may 30, 1989. She was last seen in kansas city, missouri on may 29, 1989. The person responsible for her death may be linked to the candice fisher homicide.

Agency

Johnson County Sheriff

Name

Beverly Douthit

Age

Cause of Death

Blunt Force Trauma

Info

Beverly's body was found in the little blue river at the bridge of 69 highway. She was last seen on august 18, 1985. Cause of death was blunt force trauma.

Agency

Johnson County Sheriff

Name

Candice Fisher

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Candice was last seen on may 29, 1989, in kansas city, missouri. Her body was found on june 2, 1989, in rural johnson county, kansas. Detectives believe her homicide is related to christina brandolese's homicide.

Agency

Johnson County Sheriff

Name

Boyd Novinger

Age

77

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Boyd george novinger, 77, was killed in his bedford, iowa home on saturday, december 27, 1997. Novinger’s son-in-law and business partner, h. Keith taylor, was first on scene and told officials he found his father-in-law’s body the following sunday afternoon. An autopsy concluded novinger died from gunshot wounds to the chest.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Chad White

Age

21

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Late friday night, may 21, 1993, chad william white, 21, was shot to death in the corning, iowa home he shared with his fiancée, dixie kinser.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Denise Eberly

Age

3

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On thursday morning, october 15, 1964, dixie lynne eberly, 13 months old, and her 3-year-old sister, denise diane eberly, died after an arson fire in the family’s rural new market, iowa home in taylor county. Taylor county in iowa taylor county in iowa officials said 13-month-old dixie burned alive in her crib. Denise died of smoke inhalation a short time later at the municipal hospital.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dixie Eberly

Age

13

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On thursday morning, october 15, 1964, dixie lynne eberly, 13 months old, and her 3-year-old sister, denise diane eberly, died after an arson fire in the family’s rural new market, iowa home in taylor county. Taylor county in iowa taylor county in iowa officials said 13-month-old dixie burned alive in her crib. Denise died of smoke inhalation a short time later at the municipal hospital.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Josiah Moore

Age

43

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Sarah Moore

Age

39

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Herman Moore

Age

11

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Katherine Moore

Age

10

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Boyd Moore

Age

7

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Paul Moore

Age

5

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Lena Stillinger

Age

12

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Ina Stillinger

Age

8

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Sometime around midnight between sunday, june 9, and monday, june 10, 1912, a person or persons entered a modest house in villisca, iowa, and bludgeoned to death eight people sleeping there, including two adults and six children aged 5 through 12. The killings became known as the “villisca axe murders,” and are easily the most notorious murders in iowa history.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Adrian Reuwsaat

Age

69

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Adrian charles reuwsaat, 69, was reported missing to the sioux city police department in sioux city, iowa, on november 3, 2002, and foul play has long been suspected in his disappearance.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Alicia Hummel

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Alicia marie hummel, a 29-year-old preschool teacher from sioux city, iowa, was found dead in the missouri river monday afternoon, june 1, 2015, near the shore at a boat dock in myron grove, south dakota. The area — also known as the highline area — is about seven miles west of vermillion.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Allen Shoemaker

Age

36

Cause of Death

Hit And Run

Info

Allen f. Shoemaker — a police officer with the chicago and northwestern railroad police — was shot and killed on sunday, may 17, 1925, while conducting a railroad check in missouri valley, iowa.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Alta Braun

Age

12

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Twelve-year-old alta marie braun of le mars, iowa, was raped and strangled sometime monday evening, august 20, 1917, after going to the yankee robinson circus.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Anthony Evans

Age

5

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Five-year-old anthony evans was struck by a hit-and-run driver in the 1000 block of 21st street in sioux city, iowa, on june 20, 2000.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Bernadene Sealine

Age

67

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Bernadene sealine, 67, of dexter, iowa, was reported missing to the pottawattamie county sheriff’s office in council bluffs, iowa, on july 10, 1993 after flood waters swept away the family’s vehicle in carson, iowa.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Elizabeth Swetnam

Age

73

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Betty swetnam, a 73-year-old grandmother who operated a massage business out of her 1610 west 19th st. Sioux city home’s basement, was brutally stabbed to death on friday december 31, 1993.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Brenda Dailey

Age

53

Cause of Death

Beaten

Info

Brenda dailey, 53, was badly beaten in her mapleton, iowa, home on monday, aug. 24, 2015, before being pushed down her basement stairs. According to a press release issued tuesday by the iowa department of public safety, the mapleton police department received a 911 call for an unresponsive female at 702 monona street in mapleton on monday, aug. 24, at approximately 10:30 a.M.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Connie Ruddy

Age

21

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Connie ruddy, a 21-year-old mother of two, was reported missing from her ida grove, iowa home on monday, february 10, 1997. Her 2-year-old daughter and 3-month-old son were found alone inside the residence, unharmed. Ruddy had last been seen by her sister around 11 p.M. Saturday, february 8, in ruddy’s home. About 10:30 a.M. Monday, a friend stopped by and discovered ruddy gone and her children alone. Ruddy’s car was still at the house and she hadn’t taken her purse.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dale Robinson

Age

84

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The moville police department is asking the public for help in locating dale robinson, who was reported missing on saturday, august 3, 2013. He was 84 years old at the time he disappeared. He was last seen aug. 3 while getting gas in moville at the 4-way stop shop. He left the service station driving his maroon and gray 2000 ford f-150 single cab pickup — iowa license plate number 870zcf, expiry date may 2014 — heading westbound on u.S. Highway 20 toward sioux city, and may have been en route to santa ana or paramount, california, or st. Joseph, missouri, according to initial reports. Robinson, described as 5-foot-6 and weighing between 90 and 116 pounds, suffered from early onset alzheimer’s. Dozens of people searched for the well-known robinson, a retired welder and fabricator who’d operated r&r sheet metal in moville for about 30 years. After retiring from the sheet metal business, robinson did voluntarily jobs all over the siouxland area, including mowing the grass at the woodbury county fairgrounds in moville and giving others rides to doctor appointments. Moville in woodbury county, ia moville in woodbury county, ia

Agency

Iowa

Name

Daniel Harden

Age

61

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

The sioux city police department is seeking information on the murder of pastor daniel harden — sometimes referred to as “preacher” by friends — whose body was discovered around 4 a.M. Dec. 1, 2020, in a park place apartment at 2601 douglas street on the city’s north side. Harden had been dead for about a week and his body showed signs of blunt force trauma.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Daniel Hieber

Age

58

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Aniel “dan” hieber, 58, of castana, iowa, was found unresponsive and near death at the bottom of a staircase in a mapleton residence early on sunday, sept. 20, 2015. An ambulance transported hieber to mercy medical center in sioux city, where he was pronounced dead. Mapleton police were summoned to the 823 main street home around 1:25 a.M. By the woman who owned the home, who told officers hieber had “fallen down the stairs.”

Agency

Iowa

Name

David Redowl Sr

Age

27

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

At approximately 2:00 a.M. On april 26, 1997, 27-year-old david redowl and his 24-year-old sister, sonja, had a physical altercation in the back yard of their mother’s residence at 610 west 3rd street in sioux city, iowa. Both redowl and his sister listed

Agency

Iowa

Name

Donna Davis

Age

21

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Donna sue davis hadn’t yet reached her second birthday. The 21-month-old 21-pound blue-eyed girl with the mass of dark blond curly hair was the youngest of james (“don”) and mary davis’s three children, and her three prized possessions included her teddy bear, a rubber doll and a red purse. Eleven-year-old mary claire, the eldest of the siblings, had friends who resided in the same west side neighborhood in sioux city, ia, and they often could be seen pushing strollers and buggies around the block with donna sue and the other girls’ young siblings in tow. Timothy, 7, also had ample playmates within safe walking distance from the family’s 715 isabella street home. Everyone knew and loved donna sue, though seldom used her name. To them, she was simply “the darling of the neighborhood.”

Agency

Iowa

Name

Earl Thelander

Age

25

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The thieves had stripped propane gas lines from a country home — a house formerly owned by my grandparents — where earl and my mother, hope thelander, had been working and readying for a renter. Earl was life-flighted to the clarkson burn center at the university of nebraska hospital in omaha, where he died four days later on september 1. He and my mother would have celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary four months later on december 30. Also left behind were earl’s six children and five stepchildren, 22 grandchildren, 13 great-grandchildren, four sisters and three brothers, and countless in-laws, loved ones and friends.

Agency

Iowa

Name

George Dean Jr

Age

55

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On wednesday evening, june 29, 1966, george earl dean, jr. Was found deceased in the street in front of his mapleton, iowa home. Dean had suffered fractured facial bones and fractured ribs on the left side, leading officials to believe he had been struck by a car. According to a 2009 report by the iowa division of criminal investigation cold case unit, the investigation into dean’s death revealed he likely had been having an affair with a woman known as “mrs. Carley,” who also resided in mapleton.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Jesse Nimajapol

Age

18

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The denison police department is asking for the public’s help in finding 18-year-old jesse govani nimajapol, of denison, who was last seen on july 14, 2017, and reported missing to the denison police department

Agency

Iowa

Name

Jimmy Bremmers

Age

8

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

After dinner on tuesday, august 31, 1954, 8-year-old jimmy bremmers went to his friend joey hamel’s house two doors down from the bremmers home on sioux city’s west side. Jimmy’s parents had gone to lay brick for the basement of their new home, and though jimmy usually helped, this night he’d stayed behind to go visit his friend.

Agency

Iowa

Name

John Erickson

Age

48

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On wednesday, april 30, 1997, vietnam veteran john lee erickson, 48, of council bluffs was shot in the head near mondamin, iowa, in harrison county. His killer or killers then dumped his body in a ditch off I-29 south of onawa in monona county

Agency

Iowa

Name

Town Joseph Kaschmitter

Age

53

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On saturday, march 25, 1911, town marshal joseph kaschmitter (last name sometimes spelled kashmetter or kashmitter) was shot at approximately 1 a.M. As he walked near the alton, iowa depot

Agency

Iowa

Name

Joseph Riche

Age

40

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

The missing person, joseph edward riche, 40, allegedly left his residence in neola, iowa on the morning of october 12, 2012. There has been no social media presence and none of his relatives or close friends have heard from him since that date

Agency

Iowa