November 28, 2009Council Bluffs, IowaLarry Ely Murillo-Moncada (25) runs out of his home into a snowstorm without his shoes, socks, keys, or car; he will remain missing for 10 years Murillo-Moncada worked the evening of Thanksgiving, November 26 at the No Frills Supermarket, where he had been employed for 5 years. According to his mother…
Former graduate student angry at school faculty kills 5, wounds 1
November 1, 1991Iowa City, IowaA former graduate student of the University of Iowa goes on a shooting spree, killing 5 and wounding another before killing himself Gang Lu (28) attended a lecture in room 309 of Van Allen Hall but left prematurely, which others found odd. He returned shortly after, walked to the head of…
Man executed for beating woman to death with piece of firewood
March 9, 1923 Fort Madison, Iowa Earl Throst (24, pictured) is executed for the murder of Inga Magnusson Magnusson (sometimes spelled Magnussen) was a 21-year-old teacher of a one-room schoolhouse in Allamakee County, Iowa, though she lived with her parents in Houston County, Minnesota, roughly 40 miles (64 km) north of the school. When she…
Woman kills husband, children, self
January 18, 1983 Aplington, Iowa Ethel Mae Franken kills her husband and their three children before killing herself Ethel had recently been released from the hospital following five weeks of therapy — which included electroshock treatments — for “a nervous breakdown.” Friends and family later stated Ethel had seemed to be doing well emotionally following…
Man executed for the assault, murder, mutilation of 12-year-old
November 6, 1931Fort Madison, IowaJoseph Altringer (23), alias Joseph Ollinger, is executed for the murder of 12-year-old Earl Fuller Jr. Fuller disappeared while playing with friends in October of 1930. His body found the following day in a shallow area of a local river, near an encampment frequented by homeless people. The boy had been…