University of Nebraska, 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

Dennis Addlesberger

Age

46

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Dennis ray addlesberger, 46, was reported missing to the pottawattamie county sheriff’s office in council bluffs, iowa, on march 16, 1999. At the time of his disappearance, dennis was described as a 5-foot-7 white male weighing 165 pounds. His eyes are hazel, and he may have been completely bald. Officials have classified his case as “endangered / physical,” which refers to a person of any age who is missing under circumstances indicating his/her physical safety is in danger.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Dung Truong

Age

37

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On monday, sept. 22, 1997, dung kim truong, a 37-year-old female vietnamese legal alien authorized to work in the united states, left the omaha home she shared with her boyfriend and went to the recently opened ameristar riverboat casino across the missouri river in council bluffs, iowa.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Edward Hickson

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 15, 1978 at 4:14 a.M., council bluffs police department officers responded to a fire call in the 1500 block of south 6th street, where the fire department advised them there was an unresponsive person inside the rock island bunkhouse #27. The unresponsive male was taken by ambulance to mercy hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival and identified as edward leroy hickson. A witness to the incident advised police that on the same night as the fire at 4:05 a.M., he had observed a white male, 6’3 to 6’4 and wearing a brown stocking hat and black jacket, enter the rock island bunkhouse #27. The witness said the individual immediately came back out and went to a 1975 or 1976 buick or monte carlo, burgundy over white in color, removed something from inside the vehicle and then re-entered the building. The witness said he saw a green shirt hanging inside the car, and that a few minutes later the man exited the building and left in the same vehicle.

Agency

Iowa

Name

George Massouris

Age

30

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

George james massouris, a 30-year-old union pacific railroad carman who worked part-time as a taxicab driver, was found dead in a ditch on the old orchard road two miles east of council bluffs, iowa, on sunday morning, nov. 19, 1950. He’d been shot three times at the base of his skull with a .22 caliber automatic pistol.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Gloria Slump

Age

24

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On monday, march 6, 1967, burlington railroad employees found the frozen body of 24-year-old gloria fay slump under a trestle over pony creek three miles south of council bluffs, iowa. Pottawattamie county in iowa pottawattamie county in iowa council bluffs in pottawattamie countycouncil bluffs in pottawattamie county a trail of blood showed she was dragged to the site from a county road 150 yards away.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Humberto Cortez

Age

31

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On june 21, 1996, a partially decomposed male body was discovered in a rail car by a paxton & vierling steel co. Employee. The body was identified in december 2009 as that of humberto cortez.

Agency

Iowa

Name

James Nicoll

Age

52

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

James clark nicoll, a 52-year-old baker from perth, scotland, who emigrated to council bluffs, iowa with his wife and five children in 1871, was found dead tuesday morning, march 17, 1885, lying frozen in about 15 inches of water in a tenth avenue council bluffs ditch that led into indian creek. A successful businessman, nicoll was known as a well respected community member.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Joseph Floyd

Age

42

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

World war ii veteran joseph j. Floyd jr., 42, was shot in the head in the early morning hours on saturday, july 1, 1967, in council bluffs, iowa. Union pacific railroad switchman edward l. Stephen, 1000 cathy lane, contacted authorities around 10:30 a.M. Saturday after finding the body

Agency

Iowa

Name

John Adams Jr

Age

23

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

John p. Adams, jr., 23, of omaha died from a single gunshot to the head on july 11, 1982, after an altercation in council bluffs, iowa, with two men riding motorcycles. A witness told police the fight started in omaha after a traffic confrontation. Witnesses said the two motorcyclists had been arguing in the street by 25th and west broadway and that when the victim approached one of the two men, the offender shot the victim in the face. Adams fell to the ground in the 2400 block of west broadway street

Agency

Iowa

Name

John Conaway

Age

36

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

John steven “steve” conaway, 36, of council bluffs, iowa, went missing sometime on monday night, february 9, 1998. He was reported missing to the council bluffs police department on february 11, 1998. Conaway was last seen between 10 and 10:30 p.M. On feb. 9 at buffalo joe’s food & spirits, located near rosenblatt stadium in downtown omaha, nebraska. Conaway had gone there with a friend and had a few beers, and seemed to be in good spirits at the time

Agency

Iowa

Name

Johnny Shields

Age

32

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Johnny joe shields, who lived with his mother in carter lake, iowa, was heard leaving the residence at 2 a.M. On thursday, december 15, 1988, and has never returned to his residence nor contacted his family. The 32-year-old left personal belongings and his pickup truck behind, and was reported missing to the carter lake police department on friday, december 16, 1988

Agency

Iowa

Name

Judith Pleas

Age

17

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Judith kaylene pleas, 17, was reported missing to the council bluffs police department in council bluffs, iowa, on august 10, 1973. On october 14, 1973, a farmer located the remains of a female in a cornfield outside council bluffs’ city limits and contacted the pottawattamie county sheriff’s office, who in turn notified the council bluffs police department

Agency

Iowa

Name

Kimberly Ratliff

Age

22

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Council bluffs, iowa (wowt) – a pottawattamie county jury has found matt kennedy not guilty of the 1999 murder of kim ratliff. The week-long trial has been plagued by time. Ratliff was 22 years old when she was found murdered and put into her car 22 years ago. The 52-year-old broke down in tears after hearing he had been cleared of first-degree murder. Kennedy was accused of killing his step-sister kimberly ratliff. She was killed in 1999, her throat had been slashed. The prosecution tried to link small samples of kennedy’s dna, which was found on kimberly’s clothing, and said he was the last known person to see her alive.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Linda Mayfield

Age

21

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

On april 9, 1982 at 2:18 a.M., officers were called to the starlite motel at 3320 west broadway in council bluffs, iowa, regarding a disturbance involving a man with a knife. When officers arrived at the scene, linda mayfield, 21, was found lying face down by the north office door. The responding officer said the victim had several stab wounds to her face, chest, stomach, hand and foot.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Linn Snyder

Age

44

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Linn allen snyder, 44, was reported missing to the pottawattamie county sheriff’s office in council bluffs, iowa, on september 9, 2006. He is described as a 6’0″ white male weighing approximately 280 pounds. He has brown hair and brown eyes, and may have a beard or mustache. He has an unknown tattoo on his shoulder.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Mohama Baba

Age

22

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Mohama samsoudina baba, 22, was reported missing to the council bluffs police department on december 3, 2005. Mohama was last seen wearing a gray sweater and pants at approximately 3:00 a.M. At his residence in the vicinity of the 800 block of n. 35th st. In council bluffs, iowa. All personal belongings were left behind.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Paul Brule

Age

30

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Paul michael brule, a 30-year-old council bluffs, iowa man who received $10,000 weekly payouts from lottery winnings, was slain in his sixth avenue home in the early morning hours on saturday, july 25, 1998, and his death poorly staged to mimic a suicide. Brule’s father, michael brule, and sisters michelle (brule) stephens and jamie brule discovered his lifeless body behind the 2118 sixth avenue home after finding his motorcycle out front on its side.The three found brule’s body slumped against a tree — his knees touching the ground — with a nylon clothesline rope tied around his neck.Brule wasn’t breathing when council bluffs police arrived, and officials determined time of death as sometime between 1:45 and 7 a.M.

Agency

Iowa

Name

John Stephens

Age

32

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Council bluffs police officer john l. Stephens, 32, and paul j. Rayer, 51, were shot and killed on tuesday, december 5, 1967, during a robbery of “club 64,” an upscale steakhouse about a half-mile east of council bluffs’ city limits where stephens moonlighted as a plain-clothes security guard. Robbery appeared to be the motive. Officer stephens was to accompany rayer, the restaurant’s manager, to the council bluffs savings bank at about 2 a.M. After the business closed and daily receipts counted. Both men’s bodies were found dead in the restaurant’s office about five hours later when a club employee arrived for regular clean up work. Wichael also said there may have been more bullets fired.“we think they were fired from two different guns — one probably a .25-caliber and the other a .38 — indicating we think that there were two men doing the shooting,” wichael is quoted as saying in the article.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Paul Rayer

Age

51

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Council bluffs police officer john l. Stephens, 32, and paul j. Rayer, 51, were shot and killed on tuesday, december 5, 1967, during a robbery of “club 64,” an upscale steakhouse about a half-mile east of council bluffs’ city limits where stephens moonlighted as a plain-clothes security guard. Robbery appeared to be the motive. Officer stephens was to accompany rayer, the restaurant’s manager, to the council bluffs savings bank at about 2 a.M. After the business closed and daily receipts counted. Both men’s bodies were found dead in the restaurant’s office about five hours later when a club employee arrived for regular clean up work. Wichael also said there may have been more bullets fired.“we think they were fired from two different guns — one probably a .25-caliber and the other a .38 — indicating we think that there were two men doing the shooting,” wichael is quoted as saying in the article.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Robert Bates III

Age

39

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Robert bruce “kip” bates — a 39-year-old marine who fought in operation desert storm — was shot twice around 10 p.M. Thursday, sept. 27, 2007, at the carter lake “jump start” convenience store after stepping outside to take a break.He never should have been there.Bates’ girlfriend, tracy kaiser, expected to deliver the couple’s child within the month, and bates hadn’t been scheduled to work that night but switched schedules with another employee.Bates worked alone at the store that night, and when he went out the front door to take a break, was shot twice in about two seconds.“the shooter did walk up to the store entrance where he was met by the victim,” said pottawattamie county deputy sgt. Dwayne riche.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Robert Hatcher

Age

38

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On march 8, 2007, robert scott hatcher, 38, was shot seven times near playland park in council bluffs, iowa, as he stood on the iowa riverfront trail beneath the interstate 480 bridge on the city’s western edge.

Agency

Iowa

Name

Andrea Georgeson

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Andrea georgeson was working her first overnight shift at her second job when she was murdered. She was savagely ripped from our lives, leaving a hole in our hearts. Please help us find closure for our beloved daughter, sister, and aunt.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Anthony Hollingsworth Jr

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

The day we learned of anthony's tragic death was the day our world shattered into a million pieces. The void left by him is a constant ache in our souls. Every milestone, every family gathering, and every quiet moment is tinged with the absence of him. We ask for justice, not just for anthony, but for all of us who continue to carry the burden of his loss every day.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Antonio Simonds

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Antonio or montez as his family called him, was a family-oriented man. He had some bumps in the road but was able to turn his life around. He started working full-time, got an apartment and focused on his 2 kids. He was taken away from his family before he could start.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Antonio Taliaferro

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Antonio was a loving son, brother, nephew, cousin and friend who loved to play basketball. His beautiful eyes and smile were everything to his mother. He is truly missed and will live forever through everyone that he loved and loved him.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Barry Averett III

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Barry dewayne averett was a kind and loving person. He made mistakes in his life just like everybody else. No person in this world is without sin. We love him and miss him dearly and would like closure in the homicide of his tragic death.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Brandin Princole

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Brandin princole was a wonderful son, brother, and uncle. He was a wonderful, amazing person to all of his family and friends who loved him with all of their hearts. Taken too soon, gone but not forgotten.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Brandon Thomas

Age

22

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Brandon thomas was a very happy person who everyone loved. He was a father to a beautiful boy that he was taken from too soon.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Charles Toles

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Charles toles was a family-oriented man who always looked out for his mother and children. He’d just started college, wanting to become a counselor to help troubled youth. He was a comedian in his own right, always making people laugh. He left behind two daughters.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Cornail Hill Jr

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Cornail hill jr. Was taken from his family at the tender age of 15. He was walking home from a friend's house and never made it to see his family. Cornail was loved by many. He was an exceptional athlete, son, brother, grandson, nephew, and uncle.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Cornelius Hodges

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Cornelius was an angel. He was a quiet person who didn’t bother anyone. His family has suffered greatly from his loss. There's a hole in my soul that will never be right.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Damon Jackson

Age

35

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Damon was a loving son, brother, uncle, nephew, cousin, and friend. The loss has put a void in the hearts of everyone that loves him. His legacy will live through his family and friends.

Agency

Omaha

Name

David Cooper

Age

58

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

David cooper and kevin were sitting in a chevrolet trailblazer parked in the area 4111 miami street when both were fatally shot on thursday, september 10, 2015. Opd officers were dispatched to the area regarding a shooting at 7:06 p.M. And upon arrival both david and kevin were pronounced deceased at the scene.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Kevin Pace

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Kevin pace was loving, caring, and generous. His family thanks god for him.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Deroshia Matthews

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Deroshia matthews was a former teacher's aide and crossing guard at clifton hill school. Ms. Matthews was formerly from jackson, ms, where she studied music and psychology at jackson state university. Her son kamal matthews was a second-grader who liked to ride his bike and read comics.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Kamal Matthews

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Deroshia matthews was a former teacher's aide and crossing guard at clifton hill school. Ms. Matthews was formerly from jackson, ms, where she studied music and psychology at jackson state university. Her son kamal matthews was a second-grader who liked to ride his bike and read comics.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Devon Brown

Age

22

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Devon brown was the light of his family, the one nobody could stay mad around. He always knew how to make everyone happy.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Edward Reed III

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Edward shannon reed iii was a beautiful son, father, brother, and uncle that was always there for his family and friends. He is still greatly missed.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Elijah Jackson

Age

24

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Elijah jackson was a loving son, father, brother, and uncle! He always enjoyed family, football, and having a good time, but most of all, he was his mother's best friend! He's gone but never forgotten!

Agency

Omaha

Name

Fonta Whitlock-Morris

Age

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Fonta was a loving and caring man, with a beautiful soul. He would help anyone in need and loved being around his family. He was a hardworking man and self-taught carpenter. He was our sunshine on a cloudy day and was tragically taken away from us on 05/24/2007. We need to have justice prevail so that we can have closure. He is forever missed.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Gary Lesac

Age

31

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Although gary lesac's life was cut short, one of his gifts was his ability to relate to animals. He also enjoyed nature, being outdoors and fishing.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Gilberto Hernandez-Vazquez

Age

72

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On thursday, august 23, 2012, gilberto hernandez-vazquez was in the area of 19th and y street selling ice cream from his ice cream stand when he was shot. Omaha police officers were dispatched to the area at 8:22 p.M. In reference to a shooting and located gilberto down in the middle of the street being attended to by ofd personnel. Gilberto was transported to a local hospital where he was pronounced deceased.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Irvin Settje Jr

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

My oldest brother was forcibly taken from his family in april 1988. That devastated my parents. He was my mom's best friend and took her everywhere. I personally had to take care of the funeral arrangements.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Jakela Foster

Age

20

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Jakela foster was a beautiful devoted mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend who loved to live life and laugh. Jakela's laughter will forever be missed and her love will forever be felt. Latecia fox was a loving daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend that was full of love, life and laughter. "Tish" had a heart of gold and the spirit of a warrior. Her love and laughter will forever be remembered. Cameron harris was a loving son, nephew, cousin and uncle. Not only was he loved by family, he was loved by his community. He would often help around his neighborhood where he grew up in southside terrace. All the kids loved him and he did a lot for them. For christmas he would buy all the kids in the family gifts. Though he didn't get a chance to have any of his own, you couldn't tell. People would come to him for advice. He was very well respected and people trusted him. He didn't have any enemies. If you were to ask about him, they would say all positive things. Even seven years later his name still lives on through people and he inspired many. Some would even call him a legend and he will forever live on through us!

Agency

Omaha

Name

Latecia Fox

Age

24

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Jakela foster was a beautiful devoted mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend who loved to live life and laugh. Jakela's laughter will forever be missed and her love will forever be felt. Latecia fox was a loving daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend that was full of love, life and laughter. "Tish" had a heart of gold and the spirit of a warrior. Her love and laughter will forever be remembered. Cameron harris was a loving son, nephew, cousin and uncle. Not only was he loved by family, he was loved by his community. He would often help around his neighborhood where he grew up in southside terrace. All the kids loved him and he did a lot for them. For christmas he would buy all the kids in the family gifts. Though he didn't get a chance to have any of his own, you couldn't tell. People would come to him for advice. He was very well respected and people trusted him. He didn't have any enemies. If you were to ask about him, they would say all positive things. Even seven years later his name still lives on through people and he inspired many. Some would even call him a legend and he will forever live on through us!

Agency

Omaha

Name

Cameron Harris

Age

27

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Jakela foster was a beautiful devoted mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend who loved to live life and laugh. Jakela's laughter will forever be missed and her love will forever be felt. Latecia fox was a loving daughter, sister, niece, cousin and friend that was full of love, life and laughter. "Tish" had a heart of gold and the spirit of a warrior. Her love and laughter will forever be remembered. Cameron harris was a loving son, nephew, cousin and uncle. Not only was he loved by family, he was loved by his community. He would often help around his neighborhood where he grew up in southside terrace. All the kids loved him and he did a lot for them. For christmas he would buy all the kids in the family gifts. Though he didn't get a chance to have any of his own, you couldn't tell. People would come to him for advice. He was very well respected and people trusted him. He didn't have any enemies. If you were to ask about him, they would say all positive things. Even seven years later his name still lives on through people and he inspired many. Some would even call him a legend and he will forever live on through us!

Agency

Omaha

Name

Jameila Hesseltine

Age

28

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Jameila hesseltine was a beautiful loyal mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend that devoted her life to her two boys and her love to anyone who loved her. She loved living life, laughing at every moment and loving at every opportunity.

Agency

Omaha

Name

Carl Reed

Age

29

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Jameila hesseltine was a beautiful loyal mother, daughter, granddaughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin and friend that devoted her life to her two boys and her love to anyone who loved her. She loved living life, laughing at every moment and loving at every opportunity.

Agency

Omaha