What Happened To Paula

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Missing Person
Address: 116 10th St. N.W.
Paula Oberbroeckling
Date of Offense: 7-11-70
Investigating Officer: C. Smith
Date of this Report: 7-15-70

At about 5:00 P.M. date I was sent to see Mrs. Carol Oberbrockling at her residence at 2025 G. Ave. N.E. reference the missing person report that her daughter Paula age 18, of 116 10th St. N.W.  She said that Paula has been somewhat upset because she thinks she is about 1 1/2 months pregnant.  Friday night July 10 she was at her residence with her boyfriend Lonnie Bell and they apparently had some disagreement and felt that Lonnie was trying to ditch her.  After Lonnie left the house she borrowed a car belonging to her roommate Debbie Kellogg and told her she would be right back.  She then left the house wearing pajamas and they have not heard from her since.  She is employed at Younkers, but has not showed up for work and has not contacted anyone there.  Mrs. Oberbrockling said that this is very unusual as Paula has always been very responsible abut her job and has always called them if she was going to be late.  Mrs. Oberbrockling said that Paula had a colored boyfriend by the name of Robert Williams but that they broke up some time ago.  She said that a friend told her that she had seen Paula in the loop area shortly after 1:00 A.M. Saturday and that she was having car trouble at the time.  Paula was alone at the time and there was a man assisting her in getting the car going.  The car she was driving was found the following day parked by the Eagles store o 14th St. S.E.  Mrs. Oberbrockling said she had very few friends other than her boyfriend and the girls she lived with.  Lonnie Bell was also at the house and said that she had been writing to a colored subject by the name of John Strayhorn who lives at the Hawthorne Hills apartments.  He said that he has been doing some checking on the southeast side and that he talked to the owner of the Stop and Shop Grocery at Mt. Vernon and 19th and he said that a girl by that description was in the store yesterday morning.

I went to 116 10th St. N.W. and talked to Barbara Besler.  She said that she did not know Paula very well as she only lived there about two weeks.  She said also that Debbie Kellogg moved to her mother’s residence Sunday night.  Paula has not been back to the house to pick up her clothes.  I attempted to contact Debbie but was not able to find her.  I later learned that she is living in a house on 12th St. S.E. in the 200 block.  It is a house on the alley on the East side of the street and the North side of the alley.

I talked to Robert Williams at his residence at 1028 8th St. S.E.  He said that he has not seen Paula since July 4th when she stopped by the house for about an hour to see him.  He said that he was aware that she was missing as Lonnie and Paula’s sister have been to the house.  He said that if he hears anything about her he will contact the station.

I also went to the Hawthorne Hills apartments and talked to the manager.  He checked his books and found that they have no one living there by the name of John Strayhorn who has an apartment rented to him.  He said that possibly this subject may be living with someone else there.

Mrs. Oberbrockling also gave me two other girls names who might know something about her.  They are Debbie Bucheister of 610 32nd St. N.E. ad Debbie Mitchell of 1850 B Ave. N.E. however I was unable to contact either of these girls tonight.

Mrs. Oberbrockling asked about the possibility of having Paula’s photo put on T.V. and in the paper to assist in locating her.  After talking to Capt. Johnson about it I advised her to contact the T.V. stations and see if they would run it.  I was later advised by Capt. Erger that she had called the station and said that they told her that we would have to request to have it done.

I stopped at the Oberbrockling residence later tonight and picked up a picture of Paula to show to the subject at the Stop and Shop, but they were closed by the time I got there.

Mrs. Oberbrockling said that Tuesday night between someone called there home and it sounded like a long distance call.  She said that the operator asked what number it was and after Lonnie who answered the phone said what number it was the caller said it was the wrong party and hung up.  He said the voice sounded either like that of an older person or someone who was trying to muffle their voice.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Missing Person
Address: 10th St. N.W.
Paula Oberbrockling
Date of Offense: 7-11-70
Investigating Officer: Det. R. Conrad
Date of this Report: 7-16-70

This morning, July 16, 1970, I canvassed the houses along Mt. Vernon Road S.E. in the 1400 block and talked to a Richard Williams, downstairs apartment, a Jacquelin Cuhel, and a Mrs. Collins in the basement apartment, and these three all live at 1407 Mt. Vernon Road and they do know of Paula; however they have not seen her around for sometime.

I talked to a Joyce Turnbull of 1411 Mt. Vernon Road, and she does not know Paula.

I went to 1415 and found no one home in the front apartment.  However, there was a letter on the mailbox with the return address for Connie Ewing of that address.  I believe the back apartment is vacant.

I then went to 1421 Mt. Vernon Road and talked to a Dave Bowens and a Carol Crane and both of these people know Paula but have not seen her for about a month.

I then went to the upstairs apartment and I believe this is vacant also.  I did not get an answer.

I went to the basement apartment at the house in the rear and talked to a Belinda Stevenson and she stated that she does not know Paula.

I went to 1423 Mt. Vernon Road and I believe this is a vacant house also, as several old discolored newspapers were still on the porch.

I then went to 1427 Mt. Vernon Road and talked to a Ralph Bell (no relation to Lonnie Bell) and he stated that he does not know the girl, and that the downstairs apartment in his house was vacant.

I then went to the Kaylynn Gulf Station which is next door to 1427, and talked to the manager and he stated that the picture of Paula does look familiar but he could not tie the familiarity in with anything in particular.

I then talked to a Debbie Mitchell of 1850 B. Ave. N.E. and she stated that the last time that she saw Paula was about a week before she came up missing.  She has also received word that Paula wanted to get an abortion.  She believes this is why she is missing.  She stated that Paula is a smart girl and thinks she knew what she was doing and had this all planned.

I talked to Debbie Bucheister of 610 32nd St. N.E. and she stated that she does know Paula and she was of the opinion that if Paula was going to do something, she would have known about it.

I then tried to contact Debbie Kellogg at 212 12th St. S.E., without success.

However, I talked to a Wally Gaal who is a salesman for Tucker Real Estate and has charge of renting 212 12th St. S.E.  He stated that on July 13, 1970, a tall blond girl came in the house and asked for Debbie.  Mr. Gaal believes this girl was wearing a brown outfit, however, he is not sure.  She was carrying a shiny attaché case with aluminum trimming on it.  She does resemble the picture of Paula Oberbrockling.

I then contacted Jhonnie Strayhorn of 2281 C St. S.W., Apt. A and he stated that the last time that he had seen Paula was on the 4th of July, when she was at the fair with Lonnie Bell.  I also asked Jhonnie if Paula wrote him letters and he stated that she did.  These were letters asking him to come to the house to visit.

I called Mrs. Oberbrockling and she stated that as near as they can figure out, Paula had approximately $70 with her at the time that she left.  She got paid from work on Friday, July 10, 1970, and believe this is included in the $70.  Mrs. Oberbrockling also checked at City National Bank, and as of 7-15-70, no checks have come through on Paula’s checking account.

I went to the Bus Depot and showed the picture of Paula to them.  One of them stated that there had been two young fellows and a girl in with the Yearbook from Washington School on Tuesday of this week.  To their knowledge, they have not seen or sold her a bus ticket.

I also stopped at the Stop ‘N Go Store on Mt. Vernon And 19th St. S.E.; however, they were closed.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Missing Person
Address: 116 10th St. N.W.
Paula Oberbroeckling
Date of Offense: 7-11-70
Investigating Officer: Det. Kelleher
Date of this Report: 7-16-70

On the afternoon of July 16, 1970 I was assigned to check at the Ralph Bell residence at 1427 Mt. Vernon Road SE, phone number 366-0687 to talk to their son Tim age 17.  Mrs. Bell had called the station and reported that her son may have seen Paula Oberbrockling walking in the area of their house on the night of July 15, 1970.  I was to show Tim a picture of this girl.

Tim stated that he knew the girl from Washington High School, however, this was not the girl that he had seen on Mt. Vernon Road SE.  He did tell me that in the past Paula had run around with a Bruce Hobbs who lives at 1407 Mt. Vernon Road SE.   I checked with the people who live at this house and they told me that no one by that name lived there, but that a Bruce Smith and a Carl Hobbs lived in the upstairs apartment.  I checked this apartment, but no one was at home.  I also checked the Stop and Go store at Mt. Vernon Road and 19th Street SE, but it was closed at this time.

I also tried to locate Debbie Kellogg at 212 12th Street SE and talked to a Mae Withrow who lived in a apartment B and she stated that she does not know this girl and does not believe that she lives there.  She also stated that when I showed her the picture of the Oberbrockling girl, that she had not seen her around the house either.  I was unable to check back at the Mt. Vernon Road address because of another assignment.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Re: Paula Oberbrockling
Missing Person
Investigating Officer: Det. R. Conrad
Date of this Report: 7-17-70

Shortly before noon I received a call to see an Ardis Haynes at 925 26th St. S.E.  This is her parents’ address by the name of Zacker.  I talked to Ardis and she stated that she left home last evening and cashed her check at the Pla-Mor in Hiawatha and while there she asked the best place to go in the ghetto to get information.  It was suggested she go to the Cougar Lounge.  She called an A-1 cab, went to the Cougar Lounge, and went inside while the cab waited outside.  After she was inside a short time, the cab driver also came in.  Then she tapped a colored guy on the shoulder and asked him how to get a beer in that place.  She ordered a beer and a big black fellow brought the beer to her.  She then told him that she was on the lam with no place to go and she was tired.  He said he would give her a place to stay.  He then took her to a house someplace and took her upstairs by way of a winding stairway.  This room upstairs had no lights.  He started getting amorous with her, and she told him she was not staying there without any lights.

He then took her to another house where they went upstairs (believed to be his residence).  When they got upstairs he opened a door and said, “Honey, I’m bringing a boarder home,” and she said OK.  Then he opened another door and she saw two small colored kids sleeping.  At this time she asked about her niece Paula Oberbrockling.  This black fellow stated that she was all right and just down the street a couple blocks.  While he was upstairs this colored man pulled out a bank book and showed her entries in this book for $60.00, $500.00, $300.00, $15.00, and $50.00, all made in one week.  He also told her that if she would be nice to him, she would not have to want for clothes or anything else.

At this, Ardis stated that she wanted to go see her niece, however, the colored fellow said she would have to be nice to him.  He started getting amorous again, and she called him a black bastard and ran from the house.  He ran after her and called her a white bitch, and he said he wanted his card back.

She ran to 384 16th St. S.E. where she called the same cab and went to her parents’ residence.  She had the cab driver’s name on the back of the card that this colored fellow had given her.  His name is Gordon Jacobsen, 362-6801.  She also has the A-1 number on the back of the card which is 366-3535.  This card has the name of Hugh Gibson, Enabler for the Black Community, office #398-5462, and his home #365-3593.  I contacted the office and this is at the School Board.  However they stated he would be out of town most of the day and did not know when he would return.  Right after I called his office, I called his home phone and received no answer.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Missing Person
Address: 116 10th St. N.W.
Paula Oberbroeckling
Date of Offense: 7-11-70
Investigating Officer: Det. J Steinbeck
Date of this Report: 7-18-70

Mrs. Carol Oberbrockling called Det. Smith at the Bureau this afternoon and advised that a friend of the family had seen a girl that looked like Paula in a faded green 1950 Plymouth along with another girl.  This car is registered to a Marcia Lynn Clarkson 1250 5th Avenue S.E.

A DL-3 was sent to Des Moines and Marcia’s description is Female, White, Brown eyes, 5’8″, 135, dob 6-25-49.  This girl has blonde hair also.  The friend had seen this car driving around the area of the Cougar Lounge and thought this could be her.

I went to the residence of 1250 5th Avenue SE (upstairs apt) and talked to Marcia.  (She could very well pass for Paula.)  I asked Marcia who she was with Friday night 7-17-7- and she stated that she was with Debbie Munsun and also occasionally with Russell Dobbin sp.  Russell is the colored subject that Marcia goes with.  She stated that Paula was not with her nor does she ever run around with her.  Marcia stated that she did know Paula and saw her once in a while, but they are not acquainted enough to even speak.  Marcia said that the last time she saw Paula was over a week ago in the lot of Sandy’s Drive-In and Paula was alone at this time.  Marcia doesn’t think that Paula even knows her by name.  Marcia did say that if she ever saw Paula around again that she would phone us and tell us where.

Apparently, this friend of the Oberbrockling’s took Marcia for mistake as being Paula.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Re: Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Det. R. Conrad
Date of this Report: 7-21-70

I went to 1633 34th St. N.E. and talked to Lonnie Bell and Steve Bell, as well as both boys’ mother.

Lonnie stated that he loaned his red Triumph 57-23000 to his brother Steve.  Steve was questioned in regards to the girl that was in this car Friday afternoon that looks like Paula and he stated that he did not remember having any girls in this car at that time.

I also had a phone conversation with Vera from Seigels and she stated that a boy by the name of Ben Carroll who works somewhere in the Lindale Plaza was one of the last boys that Paula had dated.  She also stated that Lonnie Bell and Ben Carrol were in to the pawn shop and she mentioned about having the FBI on the case.  In her opinion Lonnie Bell became quite nervous and fidgety and left right away.

While I was taking a statement from Thaddy Watkins, I showed Thaddy and her mother a picture of Paula and they believe that she was riding around in a green 59 Chevrolet with some other girls and a colored boy from Waterloo who drives this car.  They believe the car hangs around the corner of 11th Ave and 6th St. quite a bit.  I was unable to locate this car this afternoon.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Missing Person
Address: 116 10th St. N.W.
Paula Oberbroeckling
Date of Offense: 7-11-70
Investigating Officer: Det. R. Conrad
Date of this Report: 7-22-70

I contacted Ben Carrol at 92 40th St. N.E., Apartment 15, as he was the last one to be out with Paula, and he stated everything was alright.  They drove to the Nowhere Lounge as Paula wanted to see the two people who were playing there.  He dropped her off at her house, 116 10th St. NW, at about 12:30 a.m., and he distinctly remembers her buying two packs of cigarettes late in the afternoon.  It is his opinion that she did not need cigarettes at that time of the night.

I also contacted Debbie Kellogg at 312 12th St. SE.  Although she did not tell me too much information, although it is my belief that she does know more than she is saying, she also stated that she did not think that Paula needed cigarettes.

I also checked with Lonnie Bell as to the reason of his being in Minneapolis the weekend of July 18. This was because there was a rock festival going on in that area.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Ref: Missing Person
Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Engrav and Hansel
Date of this Report: 7-23-70

At about 11:55 PM on July 22, 1970 we were sent to 1216 4th Avenue SE reference a noisy party.  Upon arriving we talked to Cheryl Titlbach age 21 and Relia Clark age 20 both of that address.  We talked to them about the noisy party and they said they would hold it down.  We also asked them if they knew Paula Oberbrockling.  Relia Clark stated that she knew Paula, but did not know that they were looking for her.  She told us that her boyfriend, Dan Turner, had told her that he had heard information to believe that Paula had been raped last weekend which would have been July 18-July 19, 1970.  She said she had not heard who had raped her or the circumstances around it.  At first Cheryl Titlebach said that she did not know Pam, but after talking to her for a while believe that she does know her.  Clark told us that Paula used to go with Robert Allen Williams and stated she had no idea where Paula was at this time.  She stated if she heard anything she would call us.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Ref: Missing Person
Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Det. Schultz
Date of this Report: 7-24-70

I talked with Officer Hansel by PBX on July 23, 1970 and feel it should be known that in Officers Hansel and Engrav’s report of July 23, 1970, they do feel that Cheryl Titlbach and Relia Clark know more than what they would tell the officers in person.

There is a question whether Paula Oberbrockling is indeed safe and well at this time and have no real evidence to substantiate this other than the reaction of people they talked to the other night which might consist of the fact that they were just covering up for her whereabouts.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Ref: Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Det. Schultz
Date of this Report: 7-28-70

On July 28, 1970 at approximately 6 PM I went to 1216 4th Avenue SE and talked to Cheryl Titlbach and Relia Clark in reference to Paula Oberbrockling.  Relia states she does know Paula and saw her approximately over a month ago walking down the street with another individual.  She has seen nothing of her since then and stated that her boyfriend, Dan Turner, told her Paula had been raped.

It was explained to the girls that our interest in Paula was finding out if she was well and if they see her have her come down to the Police Station in person so we can cancel our report and they agreed to this.  Relia also stated her boyfriend, Dan, will come to the station tonight so we can talk about his knowledge of Paula.  Relia did make the comment of “If she is alive…”  in one part of the conversation referring to Paula.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Missing Person
Ref: Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Corrigan
Date of this Report: 7-29-70

At about 4:30 pm I went to 312 12th St SE and talked to Debbie Kellogg ref the missing person Paula Oberbrockling.  I talked at length with her but she insisted that she had given all the information that she had to the Police before.

She stated that she thought it strange that Paula had not contacted her but didn’t feel that any physical harm had come to Paula.  She stated that Paula was quite desperate about being pregnant and would go to about any lengths to get an abortion.

She advises that she would cooperate and call us if she learned anything about Paula.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Ref: Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Lt. Baker
Date of this Report: 7-29-70

At about 6:20 PM date I received a call from Rebecca Morris of 218 25th Street Drive SE.  She told me that she is a lifeguard at Lake McBride and sometime around July 15, 1970 she saw Paula Oberbrockling swimming with a male companion.  She described this boy that Paula was with as having extremely long hair.  She also said that the boy appeared to be in his late teens, about 5’10″, 160 lbs, and also that his long hair was brown in color.  She further stated that on  one occasion prior to this she had seen Paula with this same boy at McBride.  Rebecca said she has not seen either of them since that time.

At about 7:05 PM date I received a phone call from a woman who declined to give her name, but did say she was a former co-worker with Paula.  She said sometime in the past two weeks, she believes she was at Lindale Plaza in the afternoon and observed Paula with a man.  She described this man as being in his early 20′s, 5’7″, medium weight with brown sideburns and a mustache.  She said she felt from the dress of this man that he might be employed at one of the shops at Lindale Plaza.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Ref: Missing Person
Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Kelleher and Schultz
Date of this Report: 7-29-70

This evening we talked to Detective Boyer of the Marion Police Department in reference to a break in they had at one of the Titlbach family members trailer in Marion while the family had been gone on vacation and from appearances they felt someone had lived in the trailer while they had been away and suspected Cheryl and Cheryl was supposed to have had one friend with her they thought used the name Paula.  We gave Detective Boyer a picture of Paula and then we went to 1216 4th Avenue SE where we were met by a young woman by the name of Kagey Baker.  Miss Baker allowed us to check the whole apartment and basement with negative results for Paula nor did we see any of the described property from the break in in Marion.

Cheryl Titlbach and Relia Clark were not at home at the time we checked the house.  At approximately 10:30 PM while I was going through the parking lot I was met by Relia Clark, Cheryl and Dave turner and they questioned me about Paula Oberbrockling again.  They felt they were slightly harassed, but I informed them we had received information that Paula was supposed to be staying with them occasionally or thought to be staying there. They were satisfied with this and left.

Mrs. Strother of Marion who had seen the girl believed to be using the name of Paula was shown a picture and stated that Paula Oberbrockling was not the one she had seen.

Individuals say they will notify us if they see or hear of Paula Oberbrockling.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Re:Paula Oberbrockling
Investigating Officer: Det. R. Conrad
Date of this Report: 8-11-70

On August 10, 1970, Vera from Siegels called me at home and gave me a license number, 57-47931, and stated that she received information that Paula Oberbrockling was seen in this car in the area of the Stop ‘N Go store on 9th St. S.E.

I found this car to be registered to Marsha Clarkson.  I went to her address of 1250 5th Ave. S.E. and found that she and her boyfriend and/or husband had moved out Sunday, August 9, 1970.

I then cruised the area of the southeast side, going east and west and north and south and was unable to note this 51 green Plymouth that belongs to Marsha.

I also checked at Hawthorne Hills with negative results.

Also, in checking Detective Steinbeck’s report of July 18, 1970, it is found that Marsha could very well pass for Paula.  This may be the case of Vera’s friend seeing Marsha instead of Paula.

NOTE: 10-23-70
11:30 am

Florence called and said that two night ago she heard a man and woman talking, saying something about a girl by the name of Paula Ober (she didn’t know the rest of the last name) that the man told the woman that this Paula’s grandmother was offering a $50 reward to find out where Paula was.  The woman said that Paula had gone to Florida to have her baby or to have an abortion. SMK

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Finding OF A HUMAN BODY
Address: Otis Rd and Millers Farm Rd SE
Investigating Officer: Serbousek & Spicer
Date of this Report: 11-29-70

At about 4:06 PM, Sunday November 29, 1970, while at the station we received a call to go to Otis Rd SE directly across from the domes of the sewage plant which is across the river.  As we neared we could see a group of people standing on the road that runs parallel with the Chicago and Northwestern railroad tracks and is located on the West side of these tracks.  We turned onto this road and stopped about 200 feet South of Millers farm road which runs in a southeasterly direction.  When we got out of the car we were taken to a small ravine that runs out to Otis Road.  At this point we could see a badly decomposed human body bent around a steel anchor support.  Officer Spicer radioed to headquarters and advised them of the situation.  I talked to a Dale Juntilla, age 14 of 724 19th Street SE and his brother David Juntilla, age 11 of the same address.  The boys stated that they had been hiking and at about 3:00 PM, 11-29-70 they came upon the ravine and saw what they thought was a human body.  Dale told me that he wasn’t sure if it was a body so he took a stick and turned the skull over rolling it a ways down the hill.  After seeing this the boys then ran back to 19th Street SE where they met their father who was to pick them up at this time.  Telling their father what they had found he drove them back to the scene and saw for himself.  The father who is George Juntilla saw a dog warden truck drive by so he and the boys followed it to the dog pound and reported what they had found to a Tom Brooks age 24 of 2123 High Dr SE.  Mr. Brooks then radioed to headquarters and told them of the body.

A short while later Lt. Dickersen arrived and took charge of the scene, sending for the proper officials.  At one time there was a white 1958 Ford wagon abandoned just North of the scene.  This Ford was towed from this area sometime this summer by a Lowell Burns who works for Millers.  This car supposedly owned by Ludwig Swobota of 3701 16th Ave SW

Signed:  Sgt. R. Miller, Commanding Officer

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Homicide
Complainant: State of Iowa
Investigating Officer: R. Driscoll
Date of this Report: 11-29-70

I was called at home about 4:20 pm and informed that the remains of a human body were found on the railroad property that is parallel to Otis Road SE near a culvert that is just South of the lane that leads to the Old Miller’s Park.

I observed at the scene what appeared to be the remains of a human body, with all the flesh gone from the torso area.  The hands and feet were bound with what appears to be a nylon rope and a piece of plastic rope.  A nylon garment, that appears to have been a green color was found around the head area.  The skeleton looks as though it had been thrown in the ditch of the culvert and become lodged near the top of the ditch on a utility company’s guy wire anchor.

A Dr. Rose, pathologist, from the University of Iowa Hospital was called and the remains were then examined under his direction.  While removing the remains two rings were found and these were turned over to Det Staves.  The rest of the remains, including the ropes (that were left untied) were placed in boxes and forwarded to Iowa City to be checked by Dr. Rose.

Several black and white 4×5 photos were taken, along with some 16mm black and white movie film, also a few color by me and two rolls of color by Det Steinbeck.  The films with legend will follow.

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Homicide
Address: by drainage tube about 100 yd South of Otis Rd & Miller Lane
Complainant: State of Iowa
Investigating Officer: Dets. J Steinbeck  D Kelleher
Date of this Report: 11-29-70

At about 4:06 PM 11-29-70, the police department was contacted in reference to the finding of a badly decomposed human body.  The location of the finding was near a drainage tube wash approximately 100 yards south of where Miller Lane intersects with Otis Road SE and the railroad crossing.  We went to the scene and met Officers Serbousek and Spicer (Car #22).  We were advised that two sons (of George E Juntilla 724 19th St SE) were hiking in the area and came across the body and then returned home and reported this to their father and then returned to the scene with their father.  (The Juntilla’s were advised that they would be contacted to come into the bureau for statements.)

At the scene, we then notified headquarters to notify the command and contact an ID officer, and also the medical examiner, Dr. Percy Harris.  Also at this time (4:15 PM) I, Detective Steinbeck, took photographs of the body in its original state (12 color photos) while it was daylight and tagged the film for evidenced and processing.  The Juntilla boy advised us that he had moved the skull bone of the body with a stick (no hard blow) and it rolled down the slope about a foot in length.  The boy advised me as to exactly how the skull was originally and I placed it back in its original state with nothing damaged.  I then continued to take photos.

Dr. Harris arrived at the scene along with other command and Dr. Harris advised to leave everything in its original state and he stated that Dr. Rose (Pathologist from Iowa City University Hospitals) was enroute for examination.  We assisted Dr. Rose in recovering the body and the body was transported to Iowa City for examination in full.  Included in the process of recovering the body, two rings fell from the hands of the body.  These two rings were tagged separately as evidence.  One ring was a ladies gold colored ring with a black pearl set in it, and the other ring was a gold colored band with silver trim.  The scene was secured and left guarded by officers until further extensive search can be made in the daylight hours.

We (Steinbeck & Kelleher) returned to the Detective Bureau and then checked the files on Missing Person, Paula Oberbroeckling age 18 dob 2-25-52, for possibilities of her being the deceased body found, as she had been listed as missing to our department July 11, 1970.  We then telephoned Paula’s mother, Carol Oberbroeckling age 41 of 2025 G Avenue NE 362-4022, and advised her that we would like to talk to her in reference to Paula.  We went to the residence and we brought the two recovered rings with us at this time.  At the residence, we talked to Carol and also Paula’s sister, Lynn Greve, age 19.  The two rings were shown to them and they positively identified these rings as belonging to Paula.  They advised that Paula was wearing these rings when the last time she was seen.  The black pearl set ring was bought by Paula from her Grandmother, Vera Oberbroeckling, at Seigal’s Jewelry.  (the grandmother also identified this ring as the one purchased by Paula)  The gold band ring with silver trim was purchased from Spartan’s Dept Store by Paula’s sister, Lynn, and then Lynn gave this ring to Paula.  The family mentioned that Paula also had another ring that was never found and this ring was silver in color and one piece that got larger in size on the top.  This ring had about 15-20 small stones (spinel) in a cluster that looked like the shape of a hazel nut.  They could not say for sure if Paula would have been wearing this ring, but it is gone.  She wore no watches of any kind.  Paula had pierced ears and she many times wore large earrings.  The family also advised that Paula always kept her fingernails long and in very fine shape.

The family was quite sure that Paula had left the night she turned up missing, in a nightgown and barefoot.  They described the nightgown, which is also missing from her belonging as: a shear “ice blue” color nightgown that looked very much like a summery cocktail dress.  It was of an “Empire” style with a high waist that came to underneath the bosoms.  The gown came to about 6″ above her knees.  This gown had a sewn in shape, for support, for the bosoms, but it was not like a bra or lined in any way.  The gown had elastic narrow straps with material gathered and puckered like a fancy garter.  The sister knew this gown well because she had worn it on occasion also.  They felt quite sure that Paula would not wear a bra under the gown because the bra straps would show and if she would have bothered to put a bra on, she would have gotten dressed instead.  They also advised that Paula almost always wore bikini style underwear panties and would have been wearing these under the gown.

They also advised that Paula many times wore a head band in her hair, which was blonde and shoulder length.  One head band that is missing is a yellow “boucle” type weave headband with a “nubble” type of heavy linen material.  Paula’s mother made this band and she has other matching material and she will bring some samples of this material to us for comparison purposes.

They also advised that Paula had borrowed her mother’s purse and this is still missing.  This purse is a squaw bag style with an over-the-shoulder strap and with a draw string.  This purse is leather with a rough surface and it had fringe around it.  Some of the contents would be a gold colored make-up bag with a pink plastic liner and it would have many tubes of lipstick in it.  Also she had a personnel check book (City National Bank) gold in color with pink checks.  She cashed her pay check and should have had about $70.00 in cash in the purse.  Also in the purse could possibility be a hair brush.

The family further mentioned some things and habits (characteristics) about Paula.  Paula smoked mostly Marlboro cigarettes and on occasion she smoked Kools.  Paula drank quite a bit on occasion and usually this was beer.  She usually liked to drink “Schlitz” beer.  She also liked to drink Barcardi Rum and coke and when she was with Lonnie Bell, she drank what he liked which was Ripple wine and Budweiser beer.  Her mother understood that Paula had tried drugs in the past, but she (Paula) said that drugs was not her “bag” and she didn’t do this anymore.  The family mentioned that Paula lived with a lady in the past by the name of Mary Lokota who lives on 15th Street and this Lokota might know more of Paula’s habits and recent activities.

The grandmother, Vera Oberbroeckling, who lives at 2329 1st Avenue SE, stated that she had a close friend of the family come to visit her on Wednesday 11-25-70, by the name of  Duane Buchheit age 35, of 1955 C Ave NE 365-3989.  He is a school counselor here in Cedar Rapids.  This Mr. Buchheit advised Vera that she could be assured to have a Happy Thanksgiving because he got a piece of news from a boy at one of the schools.  He only described the boy as being white and usually very much aware of many happenings.  He would not give the boy’s name.  This boy supposedly told Mr. Buchheit that Paula was alive and well and that she was living presently with a folk group in a hippy community in Denver.

The physicians and medical records of Paula Oberbroeckling is as follows:

Family doctor:  David G. Reque
4245 1st Avenue SE  (office) 365-7538
271 Lamplite Lane SE  (residence)  362-6726

Family dentist:   Jay G Wratten
2701 1st Avenue SE  364-5561 (office)
390 34th Street SE  363-7119  (residence)

(Paula also was admitted to St Lukes ER last March 3:00 AM for kidney trouble)

Written permission was given and signed before us by the mother, Carol Oberbroeckling, for release of the medical and dental records and St. Lukes records on Paula.

We were also advised that Paula had been struck by a car when she was five years old and she had skull x-rays taken at the x-ray clinic at 1948 1st Avenue NE.

There was indication of the possibility that some of the family might get anonymous phone calls, because some calls had been made in the past during the time Paula was missing.  Possibly a tracer might be put onto the phones of Carol Oberbroeckling (mother) and also the grandmother, Vera Oberbroeckling.  There is another grandmother by the name of Mrs. Frank Zackar that lives in town, but she indicated that she never received any strange phone calls during this time.  Paula’s father is divorced from the mother, Carol, and his name is Jim and he lives in Grand Junction, Colorado, and he was contacted of the circumstances available at this time.

The family was advised that this identification is not confirmed as yet that the body is of Paula, and also that Dr. Rose will be approximately three days with identifying examination of the body.  The family was advised that the rings being identified can only be labeled as being circumstantial evidence of identification at this time.  The mother and sister of Paula will be brought in or arrangements will be made for identifying statements in regards to the rings at a more appropriate time.

(During the time of this report, a call was received by us from Carol Oberbroeckling and she stated that Lonnie Bell came to their residence at about 1:00 Am 11-30-70 and he was still there.  Carol explained that they haven’t revealed anything about us coming and informing them of the situation.  Bell stated that he came over because he heard on the news about the body being found and he indicated that the body was that of Paula as he knew it.)

Cedar Rapids, Iowa Police Department Investigative Report
Offense: Found Body On Otis Rd. S.E.
Date of Offense:  11-29-70
Investigating Officer: Det. Jelinek
Date of this Report: 11-30-70

At 9:00 AM date I was instructed by Lt. Baker to contact Drs. Reque and Wratten and also St. Lukes Hospital in an effort to recover any and all medical records pertaining to Paula Jean Oberbroeckling.  I picked up records from Drs. Reque and Wratten however St. Lukes has no record of Paula Jean Oberbroeckling ever having been there.