Wow, where do I start? This occured about 8 miles where I live to the northwest. Mike and Sandy lived just across the county line in Van Buren, most of them live here in Lee near Mt. Hamill, where the family grain elevator business started. I went to school with all Mike's cousins from out and around there, have known the family for 30+ years.
Mike was the manager of the Donnellson elevator here in town. The guy I ride to work with also works there as a second job, he saw Mike regularly. He's pretty freaked out. The word he got says the kid was pretty heavy into hard drugs.
Don't know what else to say. This just doesn't happen here. We get maybe 1 or 2 murders a year in the area, some years none. I don't think multiple murders like this has ever happened. As tight knit as this area is, I can't begin to convey how much of a shock this is.
Ahh, geez. Condolences if such a thing is possible after this. Hope all the homefolks can hold it together.
I live about 50 miles north of bonaparte (had to look it up on the map) and never heard of it... population of 460...
horrible, just horrible... 22 year old son in custody as a suspect...
What sad news for S. Iowa. The meth disease continues to gather victims.
I was shocked when I read the news on the Red Star's web page yesterday afternoon.
My condolences to the community.
My first thought was meth. It's tearing rural areas up.
Prayers for the community.