Cold Case - Marilyn AlexanderPosted: Nov 11, 2008 09:06 PM EST
http://www.nebraska.tv/Global/story.asp?S=9333261&nav=menu605_2
We re-open a cold case seven years old, from the city of Hastings. It's important to note, we interviewed the main investigator who was in charge of the case, however, due to a current investigation he can't be identified.
On September 22, 2001 the Adams County Sheriff's Office received a missing person's report for 39-year-old Marilyn Alexander. She worked at a gas station and the same week she disappeared, a warrant was out for her arrest.
"A possible theft incident at work," said the investigator.
At first, officials thought Marilyn might have been running from the law.
"They didn't do much at first because they thought that's why she disappeared," said her sister, Cheryl Thiel.
Officials were stumped when there was no activity on any credit cards, checking accounts, or her driver's license.
"We knocked on doors, hotels, bars, and nothing," the investigator said.
All leads turned into dead ends. Police were frustrated and family desperate for answers. Then about a month after Marilyn had gone missing; police got a big break. They found her car just north of Red Cloud.
"It was in the middle of a field hidden by trees, a very odd place for a Ford Escort," said the investigator.
Marilyn's father, a retired Hastings police officer started an investigation of his own, and because of a history of domestic violence, suspected Marilyn's husband, Robert Alexander, of foul play.
"My dad believed Bob killed her and disposed of the body," Thiel said.
Police thought so too, at first.
"He passed all the polygraph tests with zero deception, which means he answered all the questions truthfully, according to the polygraph test" said the investigator.
Her father wasn't convinced. He organized extensive search parties to find the body. Official's brought out cadaver dogs even searched the septic tank; but still nothing.
"The hardest part is not knowing what happened to her," said her sister.
Officials thought Marilyn might have wanted to disappear, but say that's nearly impossible. Robert, her husband, died two years later in a car accident. Her father died just two years ago, never knowing what happened to his beloved daughter.
"She would never just leave. There have been too many incidents in the family, like my dad's funeral. She would have come back for that," said Thiel.
Police continue to investigate, and if you have any information or know the whereabouts of Marilyn Alexander, please contact the Adams County Sheriff's Department at 402-461-7181.
Melody's Notes:
Marilyn had two previous last names. Johnson was her maiden name and Fleshner was from a previous marriage. Authorities searched extensively for all names. She was last seen on September 20, 2001 watching a Husker game in Lincoln against Rice.
Beer cans were discovered in her car. Only Marilyn's DNA came back. Her DNA has been entered into a federal database. If any remains are found they can cross reference DNA. Authorities say the car had been in the field for at least a couple of weeks before it was found.
Marilyn's sister said the physical abuse started about a year before she disappeared. Marilyn had a history of depression and a habit of disappearing for a couple days at a time. But Cheryl says Marilyn would always call to tell family where she was at. She did not contact any family this time. Marilyn has four children ranging in ages from 16 to 30.
Authorities first thought Marilyn had checked into rehab or gone gambling in Omaha. They canvassed a large part of the entire state of Nebraska. But no one had seen her.
