Category Archives: Unsolved Iowa Murder

Apparition: Murder of Edwin Hughes 1898

Murder Victim Edward D. “Ed” Hughes 34 year-old Plumber Windmill and Pump Salesman Merry-Go-Round Operator 1863-1898 Cause of Death: Poisoned Motive: Love Triangle Murder Scene and Date Marilda and Patrick Hughes Home Oak Street Mason City Cerro Gordo County April … Continue reading

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A Spoonful of Medicine Makes the Poison Go Down: Murder of Sarah Kirker 1897

Murder Victim Sarah Ann “Sally” Kirker 51-year-old Farm Wife 1845-1897 Cause of Death: Poison Motive: Spousal Abuse Murder Scene and Date Kirker Home Lincoln Township Near Guernsey, Iowa Poweshiek County April 1, 1897 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written March 2014 … Continue reading

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Unwitnessed: Murder of Washington Irving Crow 1875

Murder Victim Washington Irving Crow 28-year-old Farmer Civil War Veteran Company C, IL 133rd Infantry Regiment 1847-1875 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Argument Murder Scene and Date Stephen Crow Barn Near Woodbine Boyer Township Harrison County, Iowa December 6, 1875 … Continue reading

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Assassination: Murders of Lizzie and Andrew Brownlie 1874

Murder Victims Lizzie Thomson Brownlie 32-year-old Farm Wife 1841-1874 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Personal Assassination Andrew J. Brownlie 4-year-old Son Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Collateral Damage 1869-1874 Murder Scene and Dates Brownlie Home Winfield Township Near Long Grove, … Continue reading

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On This Day

OCTOBER The body of 37-year-old Newton baker Otto H. Samp — who was visiting Des Moines with friends — was found “slashed into ribbons” in the backyard of a house at 618 E. 2nd Street in Des Moines on October … Continue reading

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The Neighbors: Murder of Hulda Emma Fischer 1975 Written by David Jindrich

Murder Victim Hulda Emma Fischer 84-year-old Widow 1890-1975 Cause of Death: Stabbed   Murder Scene and Date 418 North 5th Street Maquoketa, Iowa Jackson County February 25, 1975 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By David Jindrich Written February 2014 Hulda Emma Fischer and her … Continue reading

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Recently-Added Articles

This website is constantly expanding. New stories of historic Iowa unsolved homicides are frequently added. Click on titles below to read the most recent articles. __________________________________________________________________________________________ The Apron in the Shack: Murder of Erma (Irma) Caldwell 1924 A Dream of … Continue reading

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Dark Byway: Murder of Marshal Joseph Kashmetter (Kaeshmetter, Kashmitter) 1911

Murder Victim Joseph “Joe” Kashmetter (Kaeshmetter, Kashmitter) 53-year-old Town Marshal, City of Alton Father of 10 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Avoiding Arrest 1858-1911 Murder Scene and Date Shot 2:00 a.m. March 25, 1911 Behind the Hoxmeier Store End of … Continue reading

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Two Coffins: Death of Mary and Murder of Eli T. Coffin 1873

Victim Mary Rosette Coffin 43-year-old Farm Wife 1830-1873 Cause of Death: Hypothermia, Starvation Motive: Family Neglect and Abuse Victim Eli T. Coffin 43-year-old Farmer 1829-1873 Cause of Death: Gunshot, Hanged Motive: Vigilantism Death Scenes and Dates Coffin Home Turkey Grove … Continue reading

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Stealing Away: Murder of John Ford 1880

Murder Victim John Ford 42-year-old Bachelor Farmer 1838-1880 Cause of Death: Gunshot Motive: Concealing Criminal Activity Murder Scene and Date Ford Farm Washington Township Buena Vista County Shot October 11, 1880 Died October 13, 1880 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ By Nancy Bowers Written … Continue reading

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