The Raebel Murder

Raebel Murder

Jan 20, 1944

Raebels make ad about needing father and son or husband and wife.

Raebel Murder

Feb 6, 1944

Alice Thomas wrote to the Raebels about applying for the job.

Raebel Murder

Feb 7, 1944

Rob sent Alice Thomas a letter saying the job pays one hundred dollars a month and includes a cottage and garden space.

Raebel Murder

Feb 10, 1944

Henry and Alice accepted the job, but only worked for a month.

Raebel Murder

Dec 14, 1944

Phillip and Henry rode a train to Des Moines then to Spencer.

Raebel Murder

Dec 15, 1944

The Heincy's then made their way to Spirit Lake where they stayed in the Antler's Hotel.

Raebel Murder

Dec 16, 1944

They went to a local bar to celebrate Philip's birthday. After leaving the bar they walked five miles Raebel's house where they hid until the Raebel's arrived.

Raebel Murder

Dec 17, 1944

At 7:30 Rob went to get coal for the fire and when he came upstairs Henry shot Rob in the neck.

Raebel Murder

Dec 18, 1944

He made it a little ways to the kitchen where Esther found him and was made to give them all the money she had and her car keys.

Raebel Murder

Dec 19, 1944

Henry then came from behind and struck her repeatedly with club. She quickly reacted and put her hands in the way which saved her life.

Raebel Murder

Dec 20, 1944

They then ransacked rest of the house, but didn't find anything.

Raebel Murder

Dec 21, 1944

Esther struggled to gain concious, but whe she gained concious call 911 and got help.

Raebel Murder

Dec 22, 1944

Winnie Callagahan, who answered the phone called the local doctor and sheriff and told them what happen.

Raebel Murder

Dec 23, 1944

When the doctor and sheriff arrived they found Rob dead and Ester in terrible condition and the sheriff called officers around the area to alert them about the Heincy's.

Raebel Murder

Dec 24, 1944

The Heincy's escaped in the Raebel's car and took off to Storm Lake where they spent the night in secret names.

Raebel Murder

Dec 25, 1944

The Heincy's eventually made it back to Quincy by train.

Raebel Murder

Jan 9, 1945

The Heincy's had ties to Spencer and that led officers to people from Spencer that Henry had worked with and that led them to Quincy.

Raebel Murder

Jan 11, 1945

Few weeks later they caught them in Quincy; Henry at work and Phillip at home.

Raebel Murder

Mar 29, 1946

The Heincy's were then executed at the Fort Madison Penitentiary.

Raebel Murder

Sep 6, 2012

The location of the Raebal Resort.