In 1992, around 7 p.m. on the Sunday after Thanksgiving, at least 40 people packed the Drake Diner in Des Moines as a line trailed out the front door into the cool, drizzly night.

A man wearing a hooded sweatshirt rushed passed the crowd and grabbed the manager, Cara McGrane, 25, by the neck. The man shot her point-blank. She died instantly.

Burnett, who had come into Drake Diner on his day off to set up a Christmas tree, ran to help McGrane. The man shot Burnett, and he too died instantly.

The assailant stole less than $500 from the cash register and fled the Diner as others ducked for cover.

View of the shooting location taken on a recent trip to the Drake Diner. (2024)

Drake Diner

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Drake Diner shooting location.

Image Taken From: Drake Diner, 1111 25th St, Des Moines, IA 50311

Latitude: 41.59887 Longitude: -93.65046

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Graves of Cara and Tim

Grave / Memorial Public Easy walk

Grave of H. Timothy Burnett.

Image Taken From: Merle Hay Funeral Home, 4400 Merle Hay Rd, Urbandale, IA 50322

Latitude: 41.639534 Longitude: -93.699354

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Grave / Memorial Public Easy walk

Grave of Cara McGrane.

Image Taken From: Glendale Cemetery, 4909 University Ave, Des Moines, IA 50311

Latitude: 41.60086823 Longitude: -93.68501282

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Joseph Hodges White

Joseph H. White was convicted and sentenced to life in prison. As of May, 2025 he has been denied parole and remains incarcerated at Anamosa State Penitentiary. White is due for his next hearing in November, 2025 and hopefully he will remain incarcerated for many more years. We have intentionally not included any pictures of White in this article.