Unsolved Crimes

Alvarez-Hernandez, Nelson, 33 years of age / July 31st, 2003 / Case # 03-004354
On July 31st, 2003 at 1:59 AM officers were called to 1613 South 13th Street, Apt #1, in reference to a disturbance. Upon arrival officers located a male subject lying on the ground in front of the listed address. The male subject, Nelson Alvarez-Hernandez, had been stabbed several times. Alvarez-Hernandez later died at the hospital.
The 911 caller stated that someone was yelling outside the front door, when they looked outside they observed several Hispanic or light colored black males running from the area. The caller opened the front door and found a Hispanic male, the victim, lying on the ground, bleeding heavily. At this time the offender is still unknown.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

The body of 22 year old Kimberly M. Ratliff was, found with her throat slashed,in a car that was left on the parking lot of Peoples Natural Gas, 1414 west. Broadway. An employee made the discovery at about 10:40 am, January 12, 1999. It is believed the car with the body inside had been parked on the lot over the weekend. To this day, no witnesses have come forward and police have not been able to gather enough evidence to charge anyone with the crime. Anyone with information is asked to call (712) 328-4765 or (712) 328-7876

Above photo's show Kimberly M. Ratliff's 1988 Plymouth Sundance.

Rotatori, Lee / June 25th, 1982 / Case# F82-2558
On June 25th, 1982, at 12:27 PM, officers responded to the Best Western Motel, 2216 27th Avenue #106, to investigate the death of a female. The victim, Lee Rotatori, died from a stab wound to the chest. There was no suspect information at the time and currently is still unknown to law enforcement.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Mayfield, Linda / 21 years of age / April 9th, 1982 / Case # D82-0713
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Adams,John P. Jr., 23 years of age / July 11, 1982 / Case # G82-1088
On July 11th, 1982, in the 2400 Block of West Broadway, officers located the victim, John P. Adams Jr., lying in the road, deceased. Adams had been the victim of a shooting, one shot to the face.
Witnesses stated that two men had been arguing in the street by 25th and West Broadway. Adams approached a subject on a motorcycle. The subject then shot Adams. Adams fell to the ground and the suspect was seen leaving northbound on North 25th Street. The motorcycle was described as a Kawasaki KZ900, candy apple red. The suspect was described at the time as 18 - 20 years old, tall, dishwater blond hair, clean shaven, wearing a type of white golf shirt and blue jeans.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Hickson, Edward Leroy / 32 years of age / February 15th, 1978 / Case # B78-1173
On February 15th, 1978 at 4:14 AM, officers respond to a fire call in the 1500 block of South 6th. Council Bluffs Fire Department informed officers of an unresponsive male inside the Rock Island Bunkhouse #27. The victim, Edward Leroy Hickson, was transported to Mercy Hospital and pronounced dead on arrival.
A witness to the incident advised police of the following information; at 4:05 AM a white male was observed entering the Rock Island Bunkhouse #27. Witness describes the white male as 6'3" to 6'4", wearing a brown stocking hat and black jacket. The suspect then exited the bunkhouse and went over to a 1975 or 1976 Buick or Monte Carlo. The vehicle was burgundy over white, with a green shirt hanging inside the vehicle. The suspect removed something from the vehicle and re-entered the building. A few minutes later the suspect exited the building and left in the listed vehicle. At this time the offender is unknown.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Floyd, Joe Junior, 42 years of age / July 1st, 1967 / Case # D67-18
On July 1st, 1967, Council Bluffs Police were called to the area of 10th Street and 10th Avenue to investigate a report of a man lying in the water. Officers arrived and located a deceased male lying next to the railroad tracks in water. Reports state there was a considerable amount of blood loss. A trail of blood led from the street, across the tracks and to the location of the deceased, later identified as Joe Floyd Jr. The victim appeared to have been shot with a small caliber handgun. At this time there is still no known offender.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

Pleas, Judith Kaylene / August 10th, 1973 / Case # MP-73-226
On October 14th, 1973, Pottawattamie County Sheriff’s Office had been called in reference to the remains of a body. Remains of a female were discovered by a farmer in a cornfield outside the city limits of Council Bluffs. The deceased was later identified as Judith Kaylene Pleas, cause of death strangulation. The victim had been reported as missing to the Council Bluffs Police Department on August 10th, 1973. At the time of the investigation there was no suspect information. The offender is still unknown to law enforcement.
Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to call the Council Bluffs Police Department Criminal Investigation Division at (712) 328-4765 or Crime Stoppers at (712) 328-7867.

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