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Explore the unique history, culture, and attractions of all 50 US states. Find travel guides, must?see landmarks, and fun facts to plan your perfect American journey
June 11, 2021 Super 8 Motel – Location: 5900 Sutton Pl, Urbandale, IA 50322Rachel Reuter checked into the Super 8 Motel. There is video of both Rachel Reuter and James Klever at the hotel. Reuter was also in contact with the Des Moines Police Department on this day. It is not known why she was…
A teenager was charged with murder in the deaths of four people found fatally shot in a Wichita house, and another man was charged with helping the teen avoid arrest. Cornelius Oliver, 19, killed his girlfriend, Raeshawnda Wheaton, 18, at her house, as well as her roommate Dessa Ford, and friends Jermaine Levy and Quincy Williams,…
Jodi Huisentruit was a television news anchor from Mason City, Iowa, who disappeared on her way to work on June 27, 1995. Her case garnered national attention and has remained unsolved. Huisentruit was declared legally dead in 2001. The circumstances surrounding her disappearance, including the discovery of personal items scattered near her apartment building, have…
Between 1984 and 1986, Faryion Wardrip preyed on vulnerable women in Wichita Falls and Fort Worth, Texas, ultimately leading to the murders of five women. He targeted his victims based on their vulnerability and sometimes lured them to secluded areas where he would then kill them. The killings shocked the community and sparked fear among…
The Von Erich family is a wrestling dynasty known for their success and tragedy in the world of professional wrestling. Patriarch Fritz Von Erich (real name: Jack Adkisson) was a wrestler and promoter who founded World Class Championship Wrestling in Texas. He had five sons who followed in his footsteps and became wrestlers: Kevin, David,…
The Iowa City Sueppel murders were a family annihilation. Steven Stepper, a 42-year-old former banker, committed them. He did this at his residence in Iowa City, Iowa, USA. It happened on Easter Sunday night, March 23, 2008. On Monday morning at 6:31 a.m., Sueppel called 9-1-1 from his mobile phone. He requested that police visit his house right away. He then hung up without identifying…
While working at Mi-T-Fine Car Wash in Irving, Robert Harris masturbated in front of a female customer and was fired from the job he had held for about ten months. Four days later, he borrowed a car from a friend, borrowed a handgun from another friend, then drove to the carwash on a Monday morning…
“Election is a 1999 dark comedy film directed by Alexander Payne and based on the novel by Tom Perrotta. The story revolves around the intense and controversial campaign for student body president at a high school in suburban Omaha. The film delves into themes of ambition, morality, and the chaos of human relationships while portraying…
Ashley Okland, a 27-year-old Iowa Realty agent, was shot twice and killed shortly before 2 p.m. on Friday, April 8, 2011, while working inside a West Des Moines model townhouse. A Rottlund Homes employee heard a commotion inside the model townhouse at 558 Stone Creek Court — part of the Stone Creek Villas subdivision near…
The Osage Indian murders, also known as the Osage Reign of Terror, were a series of brutal killings that targeted members of the Osage Nation in Oklahoma during the 1920s. The Osage people had become incredibly wealthy due to the discovery of oil on their land, which led to their being dubbed the “richest people…
The Sam Pritchard family, which consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Pritchard, their daughter and son-in-law, Gladys and Alonzo Cartwright, and their son and daughter-in-law, Jack and Irene Pritchard were sitting on the east porch of their home in 1933 when suddenly a new Ford coupe roared over the hill in front of their house. The…
Dexfield Park is an abandoned amusement park located in Dexter, Iowa. It opened in 1915 and was once a major attraction for residents and visitors in the area. The park featured standard amusement rides, picnic areas, a dance pavilion, and other recreational activities. It had a significant regional following during its peak years. One of…
In The Beginning The Barker–Karpis Gang was one of the longest-lived criminal gangs during the Depression Era, spanning from 1931 to 1935. The gang was founded by Fred Barker and Alvin Karpis and later joined by Fred’s brother Arthur “Doc” Barker. Along with the three core members, the gang’s network spanned up to 25 members…
Caylee Anthony was a 2-year-old girl who disappeared in 2008 in Orlando, Florida. Her mother, Casey Anthony, waited 31 days before reporting her missing to the authorities. Caylee’s disappearance sparked a massive search effort and a media frenzy. Casey Anthony was arrested and charged with first-degree murder in connection with Caylee’s disappearance. However, in 2011,…
In the summer of 1970, Cedar Rapids resident Paula Jean Oberbroeckling was 18 years old. She had long blonde hair and blue eyes, and she worked with developmentally disabled children and at Younker’s Department Store. One night in July, she went on a date with her boyfriend Lonnie Bell, and when they returned home, they…
Rocky Marciano, the legendary undefeated heavyweight boxing champion, tragically died in a plane crash on August 31, 1969. The small private aircraft, a Cessna 172, registration N3149X, encountered stormy weather conditions and crashed in Iowa, claiming the lives of all three occupants on board. The sports world mourned the loss of a true icon, whose…
Michelle Marie Martinko was born in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on October 6, 1961. She was the younger of two daughters of Albert F. Martinko and Janet Martinko (nee Zillig). Michelle attended Cedar Rapids Kennedy High School, where she was considered an above-average student and highly respected by school officials. She was known for her talent…
On February 3, 1959, rock and roll musicians Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens, and J.P. “The Big Bopper” Richardson tragically lost their lives in a plane crash near Clear Lake, Iowa. This event, immortalized as “The Day the Music Died” by Don McLean in his song “American Pie,” marked a significant and somber moment in music…
The Villisca ax murders were a series of unsolved homicides that occurred in 1912 in the town of Villisca, Iowa. The gruesome event took place during the night of June 9-10, when six members of the Moore family and two houseguests were found bludgeoned to death with an axe. The victims included Josiah and Sarah…
The 1919 World Series was a highly significant event in the history of Major League Baseball. It featured a championship matchup between the American League (AL) champion Chicago White Sox and the National League (NL) champion Cincinnati Reds. Regrettably, this particular World Series became infamous due to the subsequent revelation of the “Black Sox Scandal,”…
Amber’s case drew widespread media coverage, highlighting the urgent need for better systems and protocols to respond to child abductions. This tragedy served as a catalyst for change, leading to the creation of the AMBER Alert system, named in honor of Amber Hagerman.The AMBER Alert system was established to quickly notify the public about abducted…
Belle Starr, born Myra Maybelle Shirley on February 5, 1848, in Carthage, Missouri, was an infamous American outlaw of the Old West. She is often referred to as the “Bandit Queen.” Belle Starr is remembered for her association with notorious outlaws and her own criminal activities, which included horse theft, robbery, and consorting with other…
On November 22, 1963, shortly after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas, Police Officer J.D. Tippit (Pictured Below) was shot and killed in the Oak Cliff neighborhood of Dallas. Lee Harvey Oswald was charged with the murder of Officer Tippit, however, Oswald was never able to stand trial for the murder of…
Darlie Routier is a Texas woman. She was convicted in 1997 for the murder of her two young sons, 5-year-old Damon and 6-year-old Devon. The boys were fatally stabbed in their home in Rowlett, Texas in June 1996. During the trial, prosecutors argued that Darlie Routier staged the crime scene. They claimed it was staged…
On July 26, 1973 at 01:00am 38-year-old Veda Woodson left her janitorial job at First National Bank in Tulsa, heading for her residence in Sperry, Ok. At 02:00 AM Woodson’s vehicle, a 1958 Chevrolet was found by Sperry Police at 8800 N. Cincinnati with the lights on and the driver’s door open. Woodson’s body was…
Tragedy in Oklahoma City: The Sirloin Stockade murders refer to a tragic incident. This event occurred on May 20, 1978, in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. It took place at a Sirloin Stockade restaurant. It involved a mass shooting perpetrated by four armed robbers. During the robbery, the perpetrators, armed with shotguns and handguns, entered the restaurant…
Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African American boy who tragically became a symbol of the Civil Rights Movement in the United States. In August 1955, Till, a native of Chicago, was visiting family in Money, Mississippi, when he was accused of whistling at or making inappropriate remarks to a white woman named Carolyn Bryant, who…
In 1992, Lee’s Famous Recipe Chicken in Tulsa, Oklahoma, became the grim backdrop for a chilling homicide that shook the city to its core. The tranquility of a typical day at the restaurant was shattered when four employees, whose names have been lost to time, were brutally slain during their evening shift. FROZEN IN FEAR…
During the tumultuous period spanning 1973 and 1974, the city of Oklahoma City found itself in the grip of an alarming phenomenon—an unprecedented surge in targeted assaults specifically directed at members of the white community residing within its borders. These unprovoked attacks, which struck fear into the hearts of residents and left an indelible mark…
In 1933, infamous outlaws Bonnie and Clyde spent several weeks in a garage apartment in Joplin and robbed several area businesses. Tipped off by a neighbor, Joplin police attempted to apprehend Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde escaped, killing Newton County Constable John Wesley Harryman and Joplin Police Detective Harry McGinnis in the process. However,…
Several picture of Bundy, Liz, and Molly have been taken here including the picture of ted on the horse (above) and Liz and Ted sitting in-front of a fireplace (above). Note: Although this is listed on this page Ted did not officially live here. September 1974 – September 1975 September, 1975. Share this post:
“Doc Hollywood” is a comedy film released in 1991, directed by Michael Caton-Jones. The movie stars Michael J. Fox as Dr. Benjamin Stone, a young and talented medical doctor from a prestigious hospital in Washington, D.C. The story revolves around Stone’s journey to Los Angeles, where he plans to pursue a lucrative career in plastic…
“Monster” is a crime drama film released in 2003, directed by Patty Jenkins. The film is based on the real-life story of Aileen Wuornos, a former prostitute who became a serial killer. Charlize Theron portrays Wuornos in the film and won an Academy Award for her performance. “Monster” follows the life of Aileen Wuornos. She…
“Bonnie and Clyde” is a classic American crime film released in 1967. Directed by Arthur Penn, the movie tells the story of the infamous criminal duo Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, who were active during the Great Depression in the United States. The film stars Warren Beatty as Clyde Barrow and Faye Dunaway as Bonnie…
“My Girl” is a coming-of-age comedy-drama film released in 1991. Directed by Howard Zieff and written by Laurice Elehwany, the movie stars Anna Chlumsky, Macaulay Culkin, Dan Aykroyd, and Jamie Lee Curtis. Set in the summer of 1972, “My Girl” follows the story of an 11-year-old girl named Vada Sultenfuss (played by Anna Chlumsky) living…
“The Waterboy” is a comedy film released in 1998. Directed by Frank Coraci and produced by Adam Sandler, it stars Adam Sandler himself in the lead role. The movie also features Kathy Bates, Henry Winkler, and Jerry Reed in supporting roles. “The Waterboy” tells the story of Bobby Boucher (played by Adam Sandler), a socially…
Dolores Davis was murdered by Dennis Rader, also known as the BTK (Bind, Torture, Kill) killer, on January 19, 1991. Rader terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area from 1974 to 1991. He chose Davis as his last known victim. She was a 62-year-old woman. He snuck into her home, strangled her, and then disposed of her…
On September 16, 1986, Dennis Rader, disguised as a telephone repairman, knocked on Vicki Wegerle’s door and requested to check her telephone lines inside her home. Once granted entry, Rader feigned inspecting the telephone lines before pulling out a pistol when Vicki’s back was turned. He then led her to the bedroom, where he tied…
Marine Hedge, 53, was found along a dirt road eight days after she was abducted from her home on April 27, 1985, when she had spent the evening eating dinner and playing bingo with her boyfriend. She had been strangled, and a knotted pair of pantyhose was found nearby. She lived on the same street…
On the night of December 8, 1977, Nancy Fox, a 25-year-old woman living in Wichita, Kansas, fell victim to serial killer Dennis Rader, infamously known as BTK—short for Bind, Torture, Kill. Rader, who was later revealed to be responsible for a string of brutal murders spanning decades, had selected Nancy as his next target through careful surveillance and meticulous planning. That…
Shirley Vian was a mother of five who was brutally murdered in her home in Wichita, Kansas, on March 17, 1977. On that day, Dennis Rader broke into Shirley Vian’s home and attacked her. He bound her hands and strangled her to death. Vian’s three children, who were present in the house at the time,…
Kathryn Bright was attacked in her home in Wichita, Kansas, on April 4, 1974. She was stabbed multiple times but managed to initially survive the assault. Kathryn’s brother, Kevin Bright, was also attacked during the incident but survived. The house is no longer there, but the site is easily accessible.
15 January 1974 The Otero family murder was a series of brutal killings that took place in Wichita, Kansas, in 1974. Four members of the Otero family—Joseph, Julie, Joseph Jr., and Josephine—were bound, tortured, and killed in their home. The man responsible was Dennis Rader. He would later become known as the “BTK Killer.”
Dennis Rader, also known as the “BTK Killer,” is an American serial killer who terrorized the Wichita, Kansas area between the 1970s and early 2000s. “BTK” stands for “Bind, Torture, Kill,” which was Rader’s modus operandi. He killed a total of ten people, including men, women, and children Rader’s first known murders were in 1974,…
On the morning of July 18, 1989, instead of the expected courier delivering a script for “The Godfather III” in preparation for her audition with director Francis Ford Coppola, it was Robert Bardo who rang Schaeffer’s doorbell. Upon opening the door, Bardo presented her with a card she had sent him in response to one…
Michael and Robert Bever were two brothers involved in a horrific and widely publicized crime in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, in 2015. The brothers, aged 18 and 16 at the time of the incident, conspired to murder their family members. Their plan was chillingly detailed and included ambushing their parents and siblings in their home. The…
Lizzie Borden is a well-known figure in American history who gained notoriety for her alleged involvement in the murders of her father and stepmother in 1892. Lizzie Andrew Borden was born on July 19, 1860, in Fall River, Massachusetts. On August 4, 1892, Andrew Borden and his second wife, Abby Borden, were found brutally murdered…
On August 3, 1978, Rebecca David took her seven children to the eleventh-floor balcony of the International Dune Hotel in Salt Lake City, Utah. The older children jumped off willingly, while Rebecca threw the younger ones over. Amid the chaos, onlookers shouted for her to stop, but after all her children were on the ground,…
Dana Plato was an American actress. She is best known for her role as Kimberly Drummond on the popular 1980s sitcom “Diff’rent Strokes.” She was born on November 7, 1964, in Maywood, California. Unfortunately, Dana Plato passed away on May 8, 1999, at the age of 34. Plato’s life was marked by personal struggles and…
UNSOLVED At approximately 9:00pm on June 6, 1998, 16-year-old Dena Dean left from Marvins Food Store in the Town West Shopping Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma and was not seen alive again. Her body was discovered 6 days later a short distance away. Marvins Food Store Arby’s where Dena Dean worked Body of Dena Dean found…
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