"Cedar Rapids PD name suspect in 1971 murder case
Oct 5, 2021
(Cedar Rapids, IA) -- Cedar Rapids police say DNA has helped them identify a suspect in a decades-old murder. Police are confirming George M. Smith, was a suspect in the death of 17-year-old Maureen Brubaker-Farley. Her body was found in September 1971 in a wooded ravine off Ely Road SW. Smith is deceased, so the department says the case is considered closed without prosecution.
Chief of Police Wayne Jerman states, “No matter how much time has passed, our officers are committed to seeking out justice for all victims of violent crime as well as their families. I am extremely proud of the generations of Cedar Rapids Officers that contributed to bringing this once cold case to a resolution. I would also like to specifically recognize the contributions of our current Cedar Rapids Police Departments Cold Case Unit. Those individuals are Investigator Matt Denlinger, retired DCI Special Agent JD Smith and retired CRPD Police Lieutenant Ken Washburn.”
Maureen Brubaker-Farley moved to Cedar Rapids in the summer of 1971 and worked at a local diner. When Farley hadn’t arrived to work on September 20, her employer reported her as missing. Farley’s apartment was searched and found relatively undisturbed with her vehicle parked in the lot behind the building. At this point there was no evidence to suggest what happened to Farley.
Two teen boys spotted Farley's body September 24th in the wooded ravine just off Ely Rd SW near the landfill, which is now Tate Cummins Park. An autopsy was conducted and it was determined that Farley had been hit in the head causing a skull fracture which caused her death. Evidence also suggested that Farley had been sexually assaulted."
https://whoradio.iheart.com/co....ntent/2021-10-05-ced