From Cold Cases to Infamous Murders: 5 High-Profile True Crime Cases in Iowa

Iowa may be known for its cornfields and small-town charm, but the Hawkeye State has also been the site of some notorious true crime cases. Here are five cases that have left an indelible mark on Iowa’s history.

1. The Villisca Axe Murders: In 1912, six members of the Moore family and two young girls who were staying overnight were brutally murdered with an axe in their home in Villisca. Despite an extensive investigation, the killer was never found and the case remains unsolved.
2. The Trudy Appleby Case: In 1996, 11-year-old Trudy Appleby disappeared from her home in Moline, Illinois, which is just across the Mississippi River from Iowa. Her disappearance remains unsolved, but investigators suspect that she was abducted and murdered.
3. The Black Dahlia of Council Bluffs: In 1957, the dismembered body of a young woman was found in a wooded area near Council Bluffs. The victim has never been identified, but the case remains open and is still actively investigated.
4. The Tama Serial Killer: From 1980 to 1984, a serial killer dubbed the “Tama Serial Killer” by the media is believed to have murdered at least five women in central Iowa. The killer has never been identified, and the case remains unsolved.
5. The John Wayne Gacy Connection: In 1976, serial killer John Wayne Gacy performed at a fundraiser for the Iowa Democratic Party in Waterloo, Iowa. Gacy was later convicted of murdering 33 young men and boys in Illinois, and investigators have since speculated that he may have committed murders in Iowa as well.

These five cases represent just a small sample of the true crime stories that have played out in Iowa over the years. While the state may be better known for its agriculture and friendly people, the darker side of its history is equally fascinating.