Wow, Lifetime actually showed this story today! I acquired it in a trade and don't remember seeing it on Lifetime, in the last few years anyway. Impressive! I'm anxious to see what others they'll air that we haven't got to see in a long time!

Wow. That's all I can say.

I remember this story from years ago, but haven't seen it in a LONG time.

The "shopping mall" where they filmed is the mall I used to live right down the street from--Bannister Mall. It's weird seeing it as I used to go there all the time as a kid. It's also kind of sad--the theaters they showed in the segment are gone now, as are most of the shops. The mall is really close to closing. Sad.

Also, (talk about sad), Thurman Mitchell, the newscaster in the story, died about 10 years ago. He left KCTV 5 around 1991 to focus full time on being a preacher in his church (I don't think the Micki Jo West story had anything to do with it)---anyway--he was preaching one Sunday and dropped dead of a heart attack--right there in the pulpit. What a way to go, huh?

I'm glad the case was solved. The last time I watched it must have been before 1991, as there was no update at the end.

Is there any chance this will ever be reshown again? I know it's been a long time, but it was interesting to see all the old nostalgic KC stuff.

Wow! Thanks for the inside info Jimmy! That is sad that Thurman is dead. He seemed like a nice guy.

Is there any chance this will ever be reshown again? I know it's been a long time, but it was interesting to see all the old nostalgic KC stuff.

As long UM is being shown in reruns, yes, it will be shown again. I remember the update when it was rerun on Lifetime in 1992. But I saw the segment when it was shown on NBC.

The Micki Jo West case is one of countless UM cases that I haven't forgotten. Very creepy, considering nature of the letters, and the case in general. :eek:

Jimmy,

As a fellow KC-area resident, thanks for the walk down memory lane. I'd forgotten about Thurman Mitchell and that the letters were left at Bannister. Nobody goes there now. We used to go there quite a bit. It would be interesting to see the segment again and see what it used to look like on the inside.

I saw this case on Lifetime about a year and a half ago when it was on at 7 p.m. When did the crime take place? I wasn't very old at the time, but I sort of remember it.

I saw this case on Lifetime about a year and a half ago when it was on at 7 p.m. When did the crime take place? I wasn't very old at the time, but I sort of remember it.

Micki Jo West disappeared in 1979, and the letters began turning up in 1986.

Thanks, Kane.

I don't remember when the murder happened, as I would have only been about 2 years old, but I remember when the letters started appearing. It was pretty creepy.

I don't recall the Mikki Jo West episode.

Can someone kindly fill me in on the details.

Thanks a Bunch,
The Cber

I don't recall the Mikki Jo West episode.

Can someone kindly fill me in on the details.

Thanks a Bunch,
The Cber

Micki Jo West was a young nurse from Missouri who disappeared in 1979. Seven years later, mysterious letters began turning up at various public places (including a movie theater and a shopping mall). In these letters, the anonymous author claimed to have seen a specific person kill Micki Jo West (even though her body hadn't been found). The alleged killer was named in the letters, but man's named was obscured when UM presented the letters on television, since, at the time, there was no evidence linking this man to West's disappearance.

The UM segment first aired on NBC during the 1988-89 season. By the time Lifetime reran the segment in 1992, there had been a break in the case: a man named Marvin Lee Erwin was arrested on murder charges. The update revealed that he was the man named in the letter as West's alleged killer. He was charged with several murders, and confessed to killing Micki Jo West (though the segment didn't say whether West's body was ever found). He was sentenced to prison, and was believed to have been the actual author of the anonymous letters.

For another trip down KC memory lane....anyone remember the segment about the 6 KC firefighters that were killed in an explosion in 1988? I lived about 5 miles from the site and remember when it happened. The entire house shook like an earthquake. I was only 6 years old, and it scared me to death.

Anyway, just like the Micki Jo West story, the "fire station" that they filmed at was the one right by...you guessed it, Bannister Mall (plus it was the station the 6 firefighters were from). The memorial is still as it appears in the segment.

I'm interested in knowing the psychology behind murderers writing letters naming themselves as the killers

i mean i understand they want to taunt police by writing letters about the murders, but why the hell would they include their own name and how it happened?

I always wondered if he felt guilty about the murders and wanted to get caught. You hear sometimes of people saying if they don't get caught they're afraid they'll do it again. Clearly writing letters with his own name in them after the case was considered cold is a cry for help, in my opinion. I wonder if he led them to her body. Also I also wondered, they said at the beginning of the case that Mikki I believe was involved with helping a friend with marital problems (something like that) and was being harassed and receiving death threats. They also said the man that confessed to her murder was considered a suspect early on. I wonder if he was the same person who had been threatening her. Even her sister said she thought she knew who killed Mikki and she thought she knew why they killed her. Do you think the confessed killer could have been married to the friend Mikki was helping out??

If I remember correctly, West lived in and disappeared from St. Joseph, Mo., which is about a 45-minute drive from the northern edge of KC, and Bannister Mall is toward the southern edge of KC, adding another 30 minutes. I wonder why he left his letters there, so far from where West disappeared? Also, if he killed more than one person, why did he just name West? I can't find any information about this case on the web.

You've had a lot of excitement near your home, Jimmy. I guess I've never seen the firefighter segment, but I remember when it happened. It was solved, wasn't it?

gaf, I don't know if the notes were left at Bannister Mall specifically, but I'm 95% sure that's where UM FILMED the segment. They could have been left there though, but I don't know.

Back in 1987 or whenever the notes were left, Bannister Mall was one of the only major malls in the city (along with Ward Parkway)....all the others (Independence Center, Oak Park) weren't built yet, I don't think. Perhaps he picked Bannister because of the KC metro location, and that more people would see/find out about the note?

Yes, the firefighters case was solved. They arrested 4 people for something like "arson resulting in death", and all were convicted and received about a 40 year sentence.

My uncle knew and worked with 2 of the people eventually convicted. Creepy, huh?

This story was repeated today (10/24/05), so I thought I should bump this thread in case anyone came here wanting more info.

It's still so strange to see the old Bannister Mall and KCTV5 Studio as it was back in 1988. Ah, memories.

Hey JimmyHendricks do you have any additional info about who was stalking Mikki? They made it sound like it was a spouse or a boyfriend of a friend and she was trying to help the friend out. They said she was threatened and even followed by this person. Did it turn out to be the guy who killed her? I wouldn't think it was since the Earvin guy arrested for her murder also admitted to killing 2 other women. A serial killer type perhaps which may make Mikki's murder a random act of violence. Also was Mikki's body ever found? They didn't mention it in the update. Thanks!

This is just such a great case and really one of the best in showing how great of a show "production wise" UM could be. The way they put this thing together is so creepy, for example when Mikki is walking down the street and she steps onto the curb and they make it look like she just vanished into thin air. Man in 1989 there was nothing to touch this show on television in terms of production.

Really enjoying these cases they are showing

crystal, I'm not too sure. To be honest, almost all the info I know about this case comes from the UM segment. I've tried to look up info through the KC Star newspaper with no luck.

I might go to the library and see if I can dig anything up.

You're right on, DarkDante. I watch these old episodes now and marvel at how skillful the production is.

One of my favorites was the Greg Webb/Anna Anton murder segment. There's one part where they have a confrontation in one of their apartments, and the door S L O W L Y closes as the arguement gets more intense. Of course, knowing what happened to Anna after that door closed made it all the more chilling.

I always wondered if he felt guilty about the murders and wanted to get caught. You hear sometimes of people saying if they don't get caught they're afraid they'll do it again. Clearly writing letters with his own name in them after the case was considered cold is a cry for help, in my opinion. I wonder if he led them to her body. Also I also wondered, they said at the beginning of the case that Mikki I believe was involved with helping a friend with marital problems (something like that) and was being harassed and receiving death threats. They also said the man that confessed to her murder was considered a suspect early on. I wonder if he was the same person who had been threatening her. Even her sister said she thought she knew who killed Mikki and she thought she knew why they killed her. Do you think the confessed killer could have been married to the friend Mikki was helping out??
What I've read would suggest something different...
The types of personalities who commit random murders are such that they get a charge (usually an actual sexual charge) out of their murders. This is accompanied by a rush of godlike power; taunting the police and coming close to getting caught add to both of these.
It's important to note that this doesn't happen overnight. It's what happens when an abnormal personality tries to come to terms with normal impulses. That is, where a normal young male might enjoy looking at a naked woman, and be content to leave it at that, an abnormal personality (usually fostered by abuse or trauma at a young age) needs an extra "kick" to feel stimulated. The kicks start out as relatively harmless, but soon take on a dangerous character. So when looking at naked women in magazines doesn't cut it anymore, it's on to bondage or S/M magazines. Then it's on to more violent stimuli. Soon, the kick can only be sustained by acting out the violent acts, and finally... you have a psychopathic murderer on your hands. This has been documented time and again in studies of the most dangerous murderers.
Having said all of this, it would not surprise me at all if some of the perpetrators of these crimes get a big kick out of seeing us talk about them in these posts. In fact, I would venture to say that some of these people have actually posted here.
Two good books about these ideas are Whoever Fights Monsters and Alone With the Devil. There have been some valid criticisms of each, but they're pretty insightful. I don't recommend reading them when you're alone in your house at night.

What I've read would suggest something different...
The types of personalities who commit random murders are such that they get a charge (usually an actual sexual charge) out of their murders. This is accompanied by a rush of godlike power; taunting the police and coming close to getting caught add to both of these.

I'm not a forensic psychologist and I don't have the data to back this up, but I'd be more willing to believe Crystaldawn's theory in this case. We know from cases like the Zodiac and Dennis Rader how rare it is for killers to truly engage in a cat and mouse game trying to taunt and outsmart the police and instill fear in the public. From his anonymous letters, it didn't seem like Mikki's killer was trying to do that. Even the investigator said that the letter writer was very afraid of the killer. The letter writer never threatened anyone. There are other cases (e.g., the "weepy voiced killer") in which ambivalent serial killers would contact police saying that the police had to stop them because they were afraid they'd kill again, yet they would not actually turn themselves in.

right, you can't say that the pattern i described fits all murderers. in fact, i never saw the case this thread is about. just thought i'd throw it out, because it can explain why perps often get involved with the case in some way. It doesn't have to be a spectacular terrorizing of the public. i've read several cases in which the killers are in the search teams, help put up flyers, etc. Of course, this is also to stay updated as to the progress of the investigation.

as for those 'stop me before i kill again' types, it seems possible that someone could be psychopathically murderous and be shocked at their own behavior. berkowitz, after all, allegedly sat calmly in his car when the police busted him, saying, "What took you guys so long?" Of course, he also overtly taunted the police and (if I remember correctly) got sexually excited by his crimes.

my point is (and I'm not a psychologist either), you can often spot indicators of developing (or maybe just dormant?) psychopathology. sexual abuse at a young age, for example, is a dangerous mix with certain personality types (and is deplorable in any case). i've thought of people i've known--people who are abnormally into gory or movies and/or hardcore porn, for example--and said to myself, "thank god this person wasn't abused as a kid." Just my opinion.

Hmmmm, the repeating is what interests me, I wonder, if Lifetime is going in some sort of pattern? Last aired in February and now eight months later, airing again. Has anyone noticed any patterns?

There is a very loose pattern - Being that they air "blocks" of old episodes followed by "blocks" of new episodes. From 6/05-8/05 they only seemed to air for the most part older episodes. However you'll notice when the "old" episodes again returned this past week they started with a case from January 18, 1989 which is where they left off in 4/05 when during I believe an entire week period they aired all of the cases from October 12, 1988 (this is the first "non special" episode that "Lifetime" has aired in it's entirety and the second episode of the show as a regular series featuring D.B. Cooper and The Boys On The Tracks) up to the one featuring the disappearance of Michael Rosenblum (January, 11, 1989)

I am Micki Jo West's aunt. I googled her name just for the heck of it and was surprised to find so much information - and interest - but none since 10/05. Anyone still interested? I would like to see the Unsolved Mysteries episode again (I lost my copy in a fire). I'd also like to hear from anyone who is still interested in this case, or who has any information.

Aunt T

I am Micki Jo West's aunt. I googled her name just for the heck of it and was surprised to find so much information - and interest - but none since 10/05. Anyone still interested? I would like to see the Unsolved Mysteries episode again (I lost my copy in a fire). I'd also like to hear from anyone who is still interested in this case, or who has any information.

Aunt T

Hi - nice to have you posting! One of the most interesting UM cases in my opinion. I would be happy to send you a copy of the segment if you'll pm me your address. I have a lot of questions about this case that UM didn't answer. I know that someone confessed to her murder and was convicted. Was Mikki's body ever found? UM didn't mention if it was. They also mentioned in the UM segment that Mikki had helped a friend and was getting some grief over it, is the man responsible for her death involved in that scenario? I got the impression Mikki was helping a friend who was going through some trouble in her marriage but I can't remember what was said for certain. She did also believe that she was being followed. I was curious if the police think the murderer was the one following her. I do assume he was the one who wrote the notes as a strange way of possibly trying to confess. Any more info you can give us on this case would be appreciated.

This case isn't ringing a bell for me....CrystalDawn, is this case included in any of your DVD sets?

^ I'm sure Crystaldawn included it somewhere its also on my "Unsurpassed Mysteries Volume 6" collection.

This case isn't ringing a bell for me....CrystalDawn, is this case included in any of your DVD sets?

Yes its on volume 1.

I'am a first timer but I'am from St. Joseph, MO where Mikki Jo disappeared in 1979. As I remember, she was working at a local hospital and took the bus to work. She was receiving threats from her girlfriend's husband and her family knew of these threats. Her girlfriend was thinking of leaving her husband {who was black } and he considered it a threat as Mikki Jo was on her friend's side. He left letter's in KC at a shopping mall and her family suspected him all along but did'nt have enough proof. Some time passed and he killed two other women from St. Joe and buried them on his families farm. He eventually confessed to all three murders and showed the police where he buried them. He was convicted of all three murders and is incarcerated at a prison in the area I'am not sure where. I think his name was Marvin Lee Irvin. Hope this brings everyone up to date on what happened.

Mikki Jo West's case is also available at the video website.

This is just such a great case and really one of the best in showing how great of a show "production wise" UM could be. The way they put this thing together is so creepy, for example when Mikki is walking down the street and she steps onto the curb and they make it look like she just vanished into thin air. Man in 1989 there was nothing to touch this show on television in terms of production.

Really enjoying these cases they are showing

Those were the days. Remember the Debbie Wolfe case when RS was in a room w/ several blown up shots of Debbie. These nice shots of a nice girl to contrast the creepy murder story. No show has come close to the creep factor of UM.

Micro, how do I find the video website?

Those were the days. Remember the Debbie Wolfe case when RS was in a room w/ several blown up shots of Debbie. These nice shots of a nice girl to contrast the creepy murder story. No show has come close to the creep factor of UM.

Totally agree with you. Even all the copy cat shows that UM spawned were never EVER close in terms of eerie atmosphere and building up tension. The blow-up shots were a great touch (these were also in the Tara Breckenridge and Doreen Marpheo segments). Viewers empathize more with victims when they see candid family pictures. I think they made a similar point in the Silence of the Lambs, when they were pleading with the kidnapper.

Seriously, SPIKE TV PRODUCERS if you're reading this, hire us NOW as development consultants!!! I beg of you!!! We understand what made this show special... :cool:
Psst ... I work for cheap!

Yes, I hope they don't do what AMW did with their show by speeding it up and stripping the atmosphere away by trying to squeeze as many cases in an hour that they can and taking away that mystery documentary feel that made UM so amazing. That would be highly detrimental to the show and it's fans.

Yes, I hope they don't do what AMW did with their show by speeding it up and stripping the atmosphere away by trying to squeeze as many cases in an hour that they can and taking away that mystery documentary feel that made UM so amazing. That would be highly detrimental to the show and it's fans.

I fear that they will do just that. After all, this is Spike TV that we are talking about and I am guessing that the average Spike TV viewer's attention span is incredibly short.

It was interesting to note that when you see her walking "on her way to catch a bus to work" you see the same car in the two instances, firstly off in the distance then up close. In the close shot you can see a black man driving the car so obviously UM were using the information that was given to them by Mikki's family and friends about Marvin lee Earvin.

It was interesting to note that when you see her walking "on her way to catch a bus to work" you see the same car in the two instances, firstly off in the distance then up close. In the close shot you can see a black man driving the car so obviously UM were using the information that was given to them by Mikki's family and friends about Marvin lee Earvin.

I noticed that later, too. Old UM was so beautifully produced; they'd always include those details that may or may not have been plainly stated in the segment, but were still there. For example, in the Ives/Henry segment the actor portraying Don drove an early 80s-model Pontiac Firebird; it wasn't at all mentioned in the segment, but that's exactly what the actual Don drove. It's things like that that made the show.

I noticed that later, too. Old UM was so beautifully produced; they'd always include those details that may or may not have been plainly stated in the segment, but were still there. For example, in the Ives/Henry segment the actor portraying Don drove an early 80s-model Pontiac Firebird; it wasn't at all mentioned in the segment, but that's exactly what the actual Don drove. It's things like that that made the show.

I always liked how, more often than not, they would reenact the segments in the same locations the actual story took place. For instance, the two women in your avatar, Bobbie Oberholtzer and Annette Schnee - the scenes in which the two actresses playing the women were murdered were shot in the exact locations of where the real Bobbie and Annette's bodies were discovered. It added a very authentic yet creepy feature for the segment.

I fear that they will do just that. After all, this is Spike TV that we are talking about and I am guessing that the average Spike TV viewer's attention span is incredibly short.

Good one! :lol:
People need to slow down and not be so rushed, especially when it comes to UM.

They replayed this one today on spike. Contrary to what a poster had said here earlier, that Irvin had buried the three murder victims on his family farm and showed the police where the bodies where, Dennis Farina said that Mickie Jo's body has not been found.:(

At Mickie Jo's page at the doe network it says this:

In 1999 Marvin Lee Irvin confessed to Micki's homicide. She was a friend of his first wife. He also pled guilty to two other homicides, and is serving a life sentence.

Here is Mickie's Charley Project Page:

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/w/west_micki.html

It says that Marvin Irvin used to be a cop. Is he that guy who was found to have some kind of a bizarre sex torture chamber thing in a rental unit where he had modified a house hold refigerator to fit a human, lock her in, and store her alive, until the next time he wanted to abuse her?

It seems like that guy was from the same state, was black, was a former cop, but his plan with the fridge failed because he drilled air holes in it to keep the captives alive, but he only used tiny drill bits and that didn't make nearly a large enough hole for breathable air to circulate through an airtight refigerator.

Earvin was never charged?

Earvin was never charged?

I don't know. He confessed to killing her, but he's already serving life on other murder charges. Maybe they don't want to go to the expense and trouble of a trial (since he already confessed) if they don't think he's going to be released from prison.

I'm going to go see if I can find any info.

edit: I went to skcentral.com, some other website that's supposed to have info on serial killers but all it had was a useless list of names, trutv.com, and I googled the suspects name, but I still only came up with the info that's on doenetwork and charleyproject.

Wow... the charley project site says that the killer passed a polygraph the first time around! That is shocking. Any tips on how that is possible? Maybe if someone is a sociopath they can convince themselves that they didn't do it, or have no reaction to it physically. Anyway, it sounds like this guy was truly sick.

Wow... the charley project site says that the killer passed a polygraph the first time around! That is shocking. Any tips on how that is possible? Maybe if someone is a sociopath they can convince themselves that they didn't do it, or have no reaction to it physically. Anyway, it sounds like this guy was truly sick.
Passing a poly is very easy, which is why it's a tool of the trade, and not the end all be all of an investigation. People usually don't "pass" because they don't think they can; they believe the hype about them - ZOMG LIE DETECTOR! Make yourself believe whatever you wish before they hook you up, and you'll pass. It doesn't take very long to prepare yourself actually. Remain calm, and tell yourself everything you're about to say is true. Believe it. We can delude ourselves in a matter of moments.

We experimented with them in class; it was ridiculously easy to pass the poly.

'Are you a purple monkey?'
'Yes.'

Questions like that, I kid you not.

I am Micki Jo West's aunt. I googled her name just for the heck of it and was surprised to find so much information - and interest - but none since 10/05. Anyone still interested? I would like to see the Unsolved Mysteries episode again (I lost my copy in a fire). I'd also like to hear from anyone who is still interested in this case, or who has any information.

Aunt T
Aunt T,
I am still very interested in the case, I find it interesteting that they dont mention her family much. Also they never found her remains did they?

Aunt T,
I am still very interested in the case, I find it interesteting that they dont mention her family much. Also they never found her remains did they?

Her sister spoke during the segment. Maybe she came from a small family, who knows.

Passing a poly is very easy, which is why it's a tool of the trade, and not the end all be all of an investigation. People usually don't "pass" because they don't think they can; they believe the hype about them - ZOMG LIE DETECTOR! Make yourself believe whatever you wish before they hook you up, and you'll pass. It doesn't take very long to prepare yourself actually. Remain calm, and tell yourself everything you're about to say is true. Believe it. We can delude ourselves in a matter of moments.

We experimented with them in class; it was ridiculously easy to pass the poly.

Your experment is faulty based on these factors.
1. I don;t know how you simulated the real life pressures of a person committing a felony. Does your class consist of suspected felons?:lol:

2. How did you simulate the pressure of having law enforcement around you and being in a an interrogation room.

3. How do you assimulate the pressure of being asked about a piece of evidence like a bloody knife? How do you simulate recognition.

4. You also didn't assimulate the police interrogation that preceeds the lie detector test. One reason the police may have you do a lioe detector test is that they know that your are nervous enough to fail one.

5. Everyone has the option to decline a lie detector test. This was a factor that you didn't take into account. Someone who's assured that they can lie comfortably may accept it. Other's may decline it. The fact that one accepts or declines a polygraph is as helpful to the police as the test itself. if someone refuses a lie detector test, that may mean that he has something to hide. Someone who accepts the test and was calm in the interrogation room, may have
a. committed the crime for a long while and has learned to live with it.
b. may be an experience criminal and has been subjected to the test.

6. I'm also willing to bet you did this test at a descent hour of the day. When your subjects were well feed, relaxed and not waiting for a long period. Imagine if you did the test at 3:00 am, after waiting 3 hrs, on an empty stomach in a hot, crampt and smelly room.



The thing you can't simulate in class lie detector experiment is the real pressure of being suspected of a crime.

Lie detector tests are used for leverage and for focusing on a suspect.
Nobody uses it to exonerate or eliminate a suspect.

Passing a lie detector test means nothing to law enforcement. Failing a lie detector may prompt them to focus on you or use it as an excuse for a search warrant.

This segment is scheduled to air again today.

The UM update indicates that he was charged despite the body never being found. He pled guilty and apparantly has three life sentences, one for each victim. I want to hear the particulars of the case and the marital dispute, as there is so little info.

Mikki Jo West's case was so vague. I do too liked the way UM actually made the effort to stage reenactments in their actual locations and the realistic circumstances they mirrored. Thats what made the show legendary and why the new UM is a pathetic hack of a show, useful only for updates.

I want to hear the particulars of the case and the marital dispute, as there is so little info.

I always wondered if Ruth West was actually talking about Marvin Lee Irvin when she said "I think I know who did it, and I think I know why they did it."

This segment definitely gets the Vague Details Award, along with Kathy Bonderson.

This segment definitely gets the Vague Details Award, along with Kathy Bonderson.

Tell me about it. Wasn't this the segment that also said police believed they knew who was writing the letters, but UM didn't reveal anything about this suspect (who was ultimately Irvin)?

This was a classic segment. But I agree that it was pretty vague. It seemed Mikki's family, friends and the police all believed Marvin Lee Irvin killed Mikki. But they did not have enough concrete evidence so they could not say his name in the broadcast.

Was Irvin going through a divorce at the time when Mikki was killed? The segment said she may have gotten too involved in a friend's marriage dispute. Maybe Mikki told her she should leave her husband and because of that, Irvin killed her. I think she was only 19 years old at the time, though. How involved could she have gotten?

Even with an arrest, there's still so many unanswered questions.

If it hasn't been said already, maybe one of the reasons he passed the polygraph is that he had dissociative identity disorder (multiple personality) and the personality that took the test really didn't believe he did it. What I find so fascinating about this case is that he might have gotten away with it if it hadn't been for the persistent notes. I know that some serial killers taunt the media and police for attention, but these letters seemed desperate, like someone who was truly afraid of Marvin and worried about being killed themselves. One letter, which UM paraphrased, read something like, "Marvin was so angry he beat her bad and then he cry..." or something like that. Maybe some part of him really had no idea that the other part was trying to get him convicted.

In the things I read, there seems to be no mention of how the case was finally cracked or what piece of evidence convinced them that he did it. I don't think they found the body, and the fact is he was a suspect from the very beginning. If anyone knows, I'm curious. I find this one of the spookier cases of UM because it makes me wonder, even in the case of sociopaths or serial killers (he confessed to other killings) do they feel remorse? In his case, I feel some part of him wanted himself stopped because maybe he knew he was going to kill again.

Somewhat suprisingly, this case doesn't seem to be discussed all that much.

Elsewhere online, I read that Irvin encountered Mikki Jo at a bus stop and she threw the hammer at him. I find this interesting for a couple of reasons:

First, the segment depicts that Irvin caught up with West as she was walking to work. This could just be another re-enactment goof, then on the other hand, maybe Irvin isn't telling the truth. If West did in fact make it as far as the bus stop, I'm guessing there were no eyewitnesses around. I don't know the area at all, but it would seem like there would be other people at the bus stop even at that early hour, or somebody that saw *something*

Second, and as much as it pains me to say this, but if West threw the hammer at him, that may have been significantly riskier than keeping it on hand. Throwing the hammer means you only get one shot and if you miss, your sort of screwed. I don't enjoy typing this, but being that West had rational fears, why didn't someone drive her to work?

I hope for Mikki Jo's sake, she was at least able to get in a good shot on Irvin. I have to wonder if there was any blood evidence in the area. Seems like there would have been some disturbance. And I read that Irvin confessed to both shooting AND stabbing West? I certainly hope he's rotting in prison.

Somewhat suprisingly, this case doesn't seem to be discussed all that much.

Elsewhere online, I read that Irvin encountered Mikki Jo at a bus stop and she threw the hammer at him. I find this interesting for a couple of reasons:

First, the segment depicts that Irvin caught up with West as she was walking to work. This could just be another re-enactment goof, then on the other hand, maybe Irvin isn't telling the truth. If West did in fact make it as far as the bus stop, I'm guessing there were no eyewitnesses around. I don't know the area at all, but it would seem like there would be other people at the bus stop even at that early hour, or somebody that saw *something*

Second, and as much as it pains me to say this, but if West threw the hammer at him, that may have been significantly riskier than keeping it on hand. Throwing the hammer means you only get one shot and if you miss, your sort of screwed. I don't enjoy typing this, but being that West had rational fears, why didn't someone drive her to work?

I hope for Mikki Jo's sake, she was at least able to get in a good shot on Irvin. I have to wonder if there was any blood evidence in the area. Seems like there would have been some disturbance. And I read that Irvin confessed to both shooting AND stabbing West? I certainly hope he's rotting in prison.

I believe Irvin's account is that he stabbed her as they sat in his car and then shot her twice. I've never heard the throwing the hammer story! If she really did throw it, I can only imagine she did it out of total fear. Rationally, I believe we'd all say we would hold onto that hammer and be ready to use it. But honestly, if a guy who had been threatening to kill me suddenly appeared and no one was around? I might panic, throwing it and running rather than allowing him to get close enough for me to use it.

I also have to wonder why she didn't get a ride, but for all we know she had no one to get one from and thought that being out in public would be safe enough. :( He also confessed to killing two other women, and I'm wondering if he knew them or if they were strangers to him. I definitely concur with your hope that Micki was able to strike him. Glad he was dumb enough to write those notes because those probably helped get him caught.

Yeah, I had thought that if she did throw the hammer, she probably made a run for it right afterwards and unfortunately didn't make it.

The two other women thing is interesting and wish we had more information. We know of a motive with Mikki Jo, but don't have a motive with the other 2. The other interesting this is that those 2 women were found, whereas Mikki Jo has never been found.

I believe Irvin's account is that he stabbed her as they sat in his car and then shot her twice. I've never heard the throwing the hammer story! If she really did throw it, I can only imagine she did it out of total fear. Rationally, I believe we'd all say we would hold onto that hammer and be ready to use it. But honestly, if a guy who had been threatening to kill me suddenly appeared and no one was around? I might panic, throwing it and running rather than allowing him to get close enough for me to use it.

I also have to wonder why she didn't get a ride, but for all we know she had no one to get one from and thought that being out in public would be safe enough. :( He also confessed to killing two other women, and I'm wondering if he knew them or if they were strangers to him. I definitely concur with your hope that Micki was able to strike him. Glad he was dumb enough to write those notes because those probably helped get him caught.

I've never seen his account of what happened to Mikki Jo. Did he say he forced her in the car or did he offer her a ride?

According to an article I found today, he claims she threw the hammer at him and he beat her and "drove toward a hospital" after he "encountered her" at the bus stop.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1906&dat=19911012&id=8fgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bwEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2963,1825023

First, the segment depicts that Irvin caught up with West as she was walking to work. This could just be another re-enactment goof, then on the other hand, maybe Irvin isn't telling the truth. If West did in fact make it as far as the bus stop, I'm guessing there were no eyewitnesses around. I don't know the area at all, but it would seem like there would be other people at the bus stop even at that early hour, or somebody that saw *something*

Second, and as much as it pains me to say this, but if West threw the hammer at him, that may have been significantly riskier than keeping it on hand. Throwing the hammer means you only get one shot and if you miss, your sort of screwed. I don't enjoy typing this, but being that West had rational fears, why didn't someone drive her to work?.

It wasn't exactly a reenactment goof. Mikki's sister said in the segment, that morning she left to walk to the bus stop to go to work, and she was never seen again. At what point she was abducted, we didn't know. But I always thought the reenactment was very effective. Maybe the car that was zooming down the street was the killer, maybe it was someone late for work. At that point the camera shows her foot walking off the corner as if she was walking off the face of the earth. (This was when Unsolved Mysteries was at its peak.)

Anyway, Irvin's account suggests she actually made it to the bus stop but for everything to go down the way it did, she would have had to be alone. It really creeps me out that someone can be abducted in a residential neighborhood in broad daylight as most everyone is getting ready or leaving for work themselves, without a single eyewitness. Kind of like the Oliver Munson case. Although he was driving to work alone and still managed to get abducted. So anything is possible, sadly.

According to an article I found today, he claims she threw the hammer at him and he beat her and "drove toward a hospital" after he "encountered her" at the bus stop.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1906&dat=19911012&id=8fgfAAAAIBAJ&sjid=bwEFAAAAIBAJ&pg=2963,1825023

You found the same article I did. I think a lot of what comes out of Irvin's mouth is malarkey.

It wasn't exactly a reenactment goof. Mikki's sister said in the segment, that morning she left to walk to the bus stop to go to work, and she was never seen again. At what point she was abducted, we didn't know. But I always thought the reenactment was very effective. Maybe the car that was zooming down the street was the killer, maybe it was someone late for work. At that point the camera shows her foot walking off the corner as if she was walking off the face of the earth. (This was when Unsolved Mysteries was at its peak.)

Anyway, Irvin's account suggests she actually made it to the bus stop but for everything to go down the way it did, she would have had to be alone. It really creeps me out that someone can be abducted in a residential neighborhood in broad daylight as most everyone is getting ready or leaving for work themselves, without a single eyewitness. Kind of like the Oliver Munson case. Although he was driving to work alone and still managed to get abducted. So anything is possible, sadly.

I had always thought that about the Munson case. I mean, how the hell does somebody get abducted from their vehicle while driving it? The best I can come up with was someone tampered with his car and he was forced to pull over at some point. I wonder if the car was ever checked for mechanical problems, things of that nature.

All these years, I never realized Ruth West--who was interviewed on the segment--was the friend with "bitter marital dispute" Micki allegedly was involved in--and that it was actually Irvin that she was married to! :eek:


Also, totally OT: Did anyone notice the week's Fort Scott School Menu next to the article? Sausage dogs and fish nuggets!

All these years, I never realized Ruth West--who was interviewed on the segment--was the friend with "bitter marital dispute" Micki allegedly was involved in--and that it was actually Irvin that she was married to! :eek:

Yes. I had to go back and check that again to make sure I was reading that correctly. Although I don't understand how that makes them sister-in-laws like the article said. Mikki and Irvin were not siblings, obviously. Maybe that was a typo by the newspaper and they meant to say Ruth was her sister? Her last name is West after all.

So when Mikki told Ruth that she was going to start carrying a hammer in her purse, she was basically saying I need to protect myself against your husband. :eek:

You found the same article I did. I think a lot of what comes out of Irvin's mouth is malarkey.
Yeah, he certainly didn't just "encounter" her at the bus stop. I think it's pretty obvious he was following her and didn't just come upon her standing there.

:eek: I was so tired last night when I posted that article I missed that it said the perp was married to Ruth West! So this is her brother-in-law? Why did the segment say that it was the marital dispute of a friend? This casts a new light on Ruth's statement "I know what happened to Micki. I think I know who who did it and I know why they did it." If this was her BIL, then he certainly would have known her habit of taking the bus and her routine. It's broad daylight outside and I'm getting chills.

Maybe that was a typo by the newspaper and they meant to say Ruth was her sister? Her last name is West after all.

I wondered about that, too. I noticed Micki's father does not share her last name. Could it be possible that Micki could have been married before to someone named West, and that's how Ruth is her SIL? I have no idea. Seems it's getting more confusing!

So when Mikki told Ruth that she was going to start carrying a hammer in her purse, she was basically saying I need to protect myself against your husband. :eek:

Chilling.

:eek: I was so tired last night when I posted that article I missed that it said the perp was married to Ruth West! So this is her brother-in-law? Why did the segment say that it was the marital dispute of a friend? This casts a new light on Ruth's statement "I know what happened to Micki. I think I know who who did it and I know why they did it." If this was her BIL, then he certainly would have known her habit of taking the bus and her routine. It's broad daylight outside and I'm getting chills.

I reckon that could have been at the request of Ruth. Perhaps she did not want those details made public, which I could understand.

The beginning of the segment has to be one of the creepiest daytime reenactments in all of UM. I can't think of any other segment that honestly leaves in so much ambiguity, yet makes you so tense at the same time.

I reckon that could have been at the request of Ruth. Perhaps she did not want those details made public, which I could understand.

The beginning of the segment has to be one of the creepiest daytime reenactments in all of UM. I can't think of any other segment that honestly leaves in so much ambiguity, yet makes you so tense at the same time.

That's a very reasonable explanation. I would imagine that if we had been told it was the BIL as the main suspect, more information would have been given about the marital dispute and Ruth would have had to divulge more . With her sister missing and her husband still free and not charged with anything, I can definitely see why she would want to be ambiguous as possible about her suspicions and not want to say anything about the marriage on TV. Her fears would have been totally valid, seeing as this monster killed two other women. Of course now I have so many questions. What was the marital dispute? Was he abusive and Micki confronted him not to hurt his sister/threaten to go to the authorities? Did Ruth and he have children? The article mentions that he had a son, but not whether that child is Ruth's as well.

I agree about the opening scene. It's a terrible reminder that things can happen in broad daylight and people can just disappear, and bad things can happen even in a residential neighborhood. I looked up St. Joseph, Missouri and it doesn't appear that it is that small of an area, in fact it has a sizable metropolitan area. Of course, in 1979 it may have had a lower population and perhaps the bus stop was in a secluded spot? It just seems terribly unfortunate that no one happened to be nearby when he caught up with Micki at the bus stop.

Interesting how Mikki's page at the Charley Project mentions the sister-in-law / best friend connection to Ruth.

The page also mentions that Mikki left for the bus stop at 6:00 a.m. That would explain why she would have been alone. Very few people are going to be out and about that early in the morning.

And surprisingly, the Charley Project mentions the location of where the bus stop was. It was on the corner of 15th & Messanie Street in St. Joseph.

http://i922.photobucket.com/albums/ad64/andy80_bucket/Mikki_zps5f8ed774.jpg

The homes near that corner look really run down. But the neighborhood might have looked better in 1979 when this all went down, I don't know. I'll make sure to put this picture in the Location thread.

Thank you for the picture, dynoguy! It sure would be great if we could know what it looked like in 1979, but I can imagine that if it was 6 a.m., that would be a good explanation for why no one was around. That's before parents drive their kids to school and most people leave for work themselves.

I just re-watched the segment. I had always assumed that Ruth was Micki's sister, but in the segment only her name his mentioned and it doesn't state what her relation to Micki is.

Also, totally OT: Did anyone notice the week's Fort Scott School Menu next to the article? Sausage dogs and fish nuggets!

Oh my, that sounds delicious! Not. I always get a kick out of seeing school menus in the newspaper, as if it were some tremendously worthy news item.

I seem to recall my school serving something called "taco boats". I didn't know what it was and didn't care to find out.

Oh my, that sounds delicious! Not. I always get a kick out of seeing school menus in the newspaper, as if it were some tremendously worthy news item.

I seem to recall my school serving something called "taco boats". I didn't know what it was and didn't care to find out.

I know, right? We used to have this public access channel in my hometown that flashed the county school menus from time to time. Sometimes there were awesome misspellings, too.

Taco boat? Taco nope!

Another couple of eerie things to note:

Irvin killed one of his prior victims with a hammer.

Irvin was a former police officer. That's pretty horrifying to think about. Also, it would mean even more so that he would have an idea about how to hide bodies and keep them from being found. I wonder if there's a specific reason that he wouldn't want her found but didn't mind the others being found. Also, he would have been in physical shape/holding weapons and there was no way Micki could have defended herself against him. No wonder she carried that hammer.

Another couple of eerie things to note:

Irvin killed one of his prior victims with a hammer.

Irvin was a former police officer. That's pretty horrifying to think about. Also, it would mean even more so that he would have an idea about how to hide bodies and keep them from being found. I wonder if there's a specific reason that he wouldn't want her found but didn't mind the others being found. Also, he would have been in physical shape/holding weapons and there was no way Micki could have defended herself against him. No wonder she carried that hammer.

I tend to think that the dig just missed Micki's body but found the other two women. I don't see any reason he would have to lie about the location of her body, especially since he confessed to murdering the other two women and led them to where they were buried.

Did anyone ever find out why the police believed Marvin Lee Irvin was the killer from the beginning? Had he been dating Micki Jo? Also, did they find her body and determine cause of death? Why did police believe Irvin wrote the letters?

Did anyone ever find out why the police believed Marvin Lee Irvin was the killer from the beginning? Had he been dating Micki Jo? Also, did they find her body and determine cause of death? Why did police believe Irvin wrote the letters?

Not sure how they zeroed in on Irvin as the suspect. Micki Jo got in the middle of a dispute though between him and his wife and I think that's what did it.

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/w/west_micki.html

Not sure how they zeroed in on Irvin as the suspect. Micki Jo got in the middle of a dispute though between him and his wife and I think that's what did it.

http://www.charleyproject.org/cases/w/west_micki.html

Thanks for the link!

I always figured it was an ex boyfriend or something judging by the way her mom matter of factly said "I know who did it" in the segment.

Irvin was married to her sister, making him Mikki Jo's brother in law. The segment doesn't mention this in order to conceal his identity.

Irvin was married to her sister, making him Mikki Jo's brother in law. The segment doesn't mention this in order to conceal his identity.

She must have had run ins with him in the past since everyone associated with the segment seem to know that he did it, within days of her disappearing.

She must have had run ins with him in the past since everyone associated with the segment seem to know that he did it, within days of her disappearing.
Yes. :( This was the "marital dispute" referenced in the segment, which neglects to mention that the "friend" is actually Mikki's own sister who is being interviewed. We know now that Mikki brought the hammer and Irvin confessed that she threw it at him when he pulled up next to the bus stop to abduct her.

Yes. :( This was the "marital dispute" referenced in the segment, which neglects to mention that the "friend" is actually Mikki's own sister who is being interviewed. We know now that Mikki brought the hammer and Irvin confessed that she threw it at him when he pulled up next to the bus stop to abduct her.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't she carry the hammer as protection?

Correct me if I'm wrong, but didn't she carry the hammer as protection?
You're correct. Irvin said she threw it at him (when he confessed), probably because she was so afraid. She had brought it intentionally to defend herself. She either missed or didn't hit him hard enough to stop him, and he then beat her and forced her into his car. I'm guessing that he took the hammer, too (it was never found and he probably wanted to make sure no evidence was left behind).

You're correct. Irvin said she threw it at him (when he confessed), probably because she was so afraid. She had brought it intentionally to defend herself. She either missed or didn't hit him hard enough to stop him, and he then beat her and forced her into his car. I'm guessing that he took the hammer, too (it was never found and he probably wanted to make sure no evidence was left behind).

Have you ever heard the song 'Hammer Horror' by Kate Bush? That song seems fitting for this case.

Have you ever heard the song 'Hammer Horror' by Kate Bush? That song seems fitting for this case.

Oh yes. From the Lionheart album. Bought that specifically for that song, but ended up loving pretty much the entire album. Love me some Kate Bush.

Coincidentally, the song came out right around the time Micki Jo disappeared.

Coincidentally, the song came out right around the time Micki Jo disappeared.

Now that is eerie....

Thanks guys for posting this information....I had no idea that the "friend" was actually Mikki Jo's sister. That makes a lot of sense now, as to why the sister was saying "I think I know who did it, and why they did it" type of thing. Mikki was probably telling her sister to get out of the marriage, and when she did or decided to, Irvin blamed Mikki.

The friend in the segment is Mikki's sister? Who was married to Marvin? This segment has to be the most uncompleted in Um's history.

And he seriously killed her so he wouldn't get a divorce? Can't there be a more plausible explanation?

The friend in the segment is Mikki's sister? Who was married to Marvin? This segment has to be the most uncompleted in Um's history.

And he seriously killed her so he wouldn't get a divorce? Can't there be a more plausible explanation?
They purposely left out this information as they couldn't say the suspect's name. If I recall correctly, they even misidentified Ruth as a "sister-in-law" rather than "sister." They went through great pains not to give out that information, likely also to encourage tips that only those who knew the true details could give.

I don't think he killed Mikki to avoid divorce. I think he did it out of anger that she probably encouraged her sister to leave him, and perhaps had a few altercations with him related to the matter. Obviously because he killed two other women, he had a very violent side to him. Mikki may not have been safe even if she hadn't gotten involved in the marital dispute.

They purposely left out this information as they couldn't say the suspect's name. If I recall correctly, they even misidentified Ruth as a "sister-in-law" rather than "sister." They went through great pains not to give out that information, likely also to encourage tips that only those who knew the true details could give.

This clears up a lot. This segment is one of the more vague and information-less segments UM ever aired. However, after it was solved, you can easily put the pieces together and realize why it was done like that.

Ruth Ann was Micki Jo's sister-in-law and best friend (she was married to Ruth Ann's brother). Ruth Ann had a son by Irvin when she was about 15ish in 1976ish. Irvin was about 25. He had numerous underage "girlfriends" and children with those girls. Ruth Ann married Irvin in 1978/1979. Irvin was a drug addict and drug dealer and beat Ruth repeatedly over the course of their entire relationship. I witnessed one of those beatings before they were married and befriended Ruth for a short time. Ruth Ann was also a violent person and was known for battering other girls that Irvin had relationships (and children with). Ruth left Irvin shortly after they were married in 1979 and hid across the river from St. Joseph in Kansas in a motel with their son. According to police detectives, this infuriated Irvin and he knew that Micki Jo would know where Ruth was hiding and probably beat it out of her. That's why he accosted Micki on her way to work. Police detectives were told by Ruth that Irvin and two other men showed up at the motel shortly after Micki disappeared to retrieve Ruth and their son. Detectives theorized that Irvin was not alone when Micki was killed (thus the two men that were with him at the motel) and that perhaps one of those two men were responsible for leaving the notes at the Kansas City mall and mailing one to the newscaster about Micki Jo's murder. Irvin wasn't a police officer for very long. He was fired for using his gun when off duty. He worked for the railroad for several years and was indeed a very strong man. It is quite possible that Irvin buried Micki in a different location, considering his employment with the railroad throughout the area. He confessed to Micki's murder and revealed her burial spot in Kansas in a plea agreement for life in prison.

Ruth Ann was Micki Jo's sister-in-law and best friend (she was married to Ruth Ann's brother). Ruth Ann had a son by Irvin when she was about 15ish in 1976ish. Irvin was about 25. He had numerous underage "girlfriends" and children with those girls. Ruth Ann married Irvin in 1978/1979. Irvin was a drug addict and drug dealer and beat Ruth repeatedly over the course of their entire relationship. I witnessed one of those beatings before they were married and befriended Ruth for a short time. Ruth Ann was also a violent person and was known for battering other girls that Irvin had relationships (and children with). Ruth left Irvin shortly after they were married in 1979 and hid across the river from St. Joseph in Kansas in a motel with their son. According to police detectives, this infuriated Irvin and he knew that Micki Jo would know where Ruth was hiding and probably beat it out of her. That's why he accosted Micki on her way to work. Police detectives were told by Ruth that Irvin and two other men showed up at the motel shortly after Micki disappeared to retrieve Ruth and their son. Detectives theorized that Irvin was not alone when Micki was killed (thus the two men that were with him at the motel) and that perhaps one of those two men were responsible for leaving the notes at the Kansas City mall and mailing one to the newscaster about Micki Jo's murder. Irvin wasn't a police officer for very long. He was fired for using his gun when off duty. He worked for the railroad for several years and was indeed a very strong man. It is quite possible that Irvin buried Micki in a different location, considering his employment with the railroad throughout the area. He confessed to Micki's murder and revealed her burial spot in Kansas in a plea agreement for life in prison.


Thanks for posting. It is always great to hear from someone who knew the parties involved.

A couple things I am curious about...

Why did the police speculate that Irvin wrote the notes?

Also, why do you think Micki's body wasn't recovered? Did Irvin forget or fabricate the location?

From my understanding of what the detectives shared with me, they suspected a number of persons wrote the notes...Irvin, one of the two men that might have been accomplices, and even Micki's father (thinking he was trying to reopen the case of his missing daughter).

I don't really know why they have not recovered Micki's body. I can only speculate that it had been 11 years since Micki's disappearance and there was no longer anything to recover or they just have not found the right spot or Irvin confessed to what they just wanted to hear and has no intentions of allowing her body to be recovered. Like I wrote before, Irvin worked on the rail tracks throughout Buchanan and Andrew counties and could have found a reclusive area anywhere.

"...Irvin was sentenced Oct. 3, 1991, after pleading guilty to killing Ms. Simmons, 33, by striking her with a hammer on Oct. 30, 1990; Ms. Rose, 31, by striking her on Sept. 1, 1990." It is eerily ironic that Ms. Simmons was killed with a hammer and Micki had carried a hammer for protection from Irvin.

Ruth Ann was Micki Jo's sister-in-law and best friend (she was married to Ruth Ann's brother). Ruth Ann had a son by Irvin when she was about 15ish in 1976ish. Irvin was about 25. He had numerous underage "girlfriends" and children with those girls. Ruth Ann married Irvin in 1978/1979. Irvin was a drug addict and drug dealer and beat Ruth repeatedly over the course of their entire relationship. I witnessed one of those beatings before they were married and befriended Ruth for a short time. Ruth Ann was also a violent person and was known for battering other girls that Irvin had relationships (and children with). Ruth left Irvin shortly after they were married in 1979 and hid across the river from St. Joseph in Kansas in a motel with their son. According to police detectives, this infuriated Irvin and he knew that Micki Jo would know where Ruth was hiding and probably beat it out of her. That's why he accosted Micki on her way to work. Police detectives were told by Ruth that Irvin and two other men showed up at the motel shortly after Micki disappeared to retrieve Ruth and their son. Detectives theorized that Irvin was not alone when Micki was killed (thus the two men that were with him at the motel) and that perhaps one of those two men were responsible for leaving the notes at the Kansas City mall and mailing one to the newscaster about Micki Jo's murder. Irvin wasn't a police officer for very long. He was fired for using his gun when off duty. He worked for the railroad for several years and was indeed a very strong man. It is quite possible that Irvin buried Micki in a different location, considering his employment with the railroad throughout the area. He confessed to Micki's murder and revealed her burial spot in Kansas in a plea agreement for life in prison.

Thank you for posting here and for clarifying that Ruth was in fact Micki's sister-in-law. I'd had no idea that Micki was married. I wonder why UM neglected to mention this?

I'm sorry you had to witness one of the attacks. That must have been extremely traumatizing. Did you ever meet Micki?

That really clears some things up. If Ruth was in hiding with their baby from Irvin, he had all the more reason to confront Mikki and dispose of her once he found out where Ruth was. No wonder she kept a hammer in her purse.

It's unfortunate that Mikki couldn't get some kind of police protection. She was a sitting duck having to walk two blocks to the bus station for work at 6:00 in the morning. Probably next to no witnesses out and about that early.

According to the Charley Project, once Irvin grabbed her off the street, he stabbed Mikki in the car four times before shooting her twice. The police later admitted that they screwed up their investigation by not attempting to search Irvin's car even though everyone close to the case knew he was responsible.

It was poor police work unfortunately.

On a side note, I didn't know Thurman Mitchell died in 2000.

http://cjonline.com/stories/041200/new_newsman.shtml

Just found this very interesting and detailed article (https://issuu.com/connectiononline/docs/cn_3mar16_finalproof/55) about Micki Jo's disappearance from two years ago. The main investigator from the segment is interviewed. It talks about the case from the very beginning.

It gives you a very clear idea of what happened:

Ruth West, Micki's husband's sister, was married to Marvin Irvin and they had a four-year-old son. Irvin was a POS from the beginning, getting Ruth pregnant when she was just fifteen and he was in his twenties (he was also involved with another underage girl, but charges were never filed in either case). After he repeatedly abused Ruth, she left with their son and was staying at a motel. Only five people including Micki knew of their whereabouts.

Micki vanished and Ruth was found the same day by two of Irvin's friends. Police confirmed that none of the other four people told Irvin about Ruth's whereabouts. It is believed that Irvin abducted Micki as she walked to the bus stop. They believe he forced her to reveal Ruth's location and then killed her. Afterwards, he showed up at a girlfriend's home and told her that he killed Micki and had her body in his car. He then forced her to go with him and help dispose of the body. They then went to remote field and dumped the body.

The girlfriend was only 16 at the time and was obviously too scared to tell anyone. As a result, Irvin continued on with his life. He continued to abuse women; in 1988, he was arrested and convicted for assaulting one girlfriend. When questioned, she told police that he confessed to killing Micki. However, that wasn't enough for police at the time.

In 1990, after he was released from prison, two young woman, Patricia Rose and Crystal Simmons, vanished. Irvin later showed up at his sister's home with blood on him. She wrote to their brother, who was in prison. Fortunately, prison guards intercepted the letter and forwarded it to the police. They went to Irvin's home where they found jewelry belonging to the missing women. They searched his truck and found blood belonging to both women as well.

Later in 1990, Patricia and Crystal's bodies were found in a field. Irvin was known to hunt in the area and his family owned land nearby. Police tracked down and interviewed the girlfriend (from 1979) who finally admitted to them that she helped Irvin dispose of Micki's body. The field she mentioned was the same field where the other bodies were found.

Irvin pleaded guilty in 1991 after learning all of the evidence against him. Disturbingly, he blamed the victims for causing their own deaths (claiming that he killed Micki because she attacked him and called him a racial slur). He was sentenced to life without parole. The investigator interviewed believes that Micki's body was moved from the field to another location. He believes that Irvin wrote most of the letters and had other people write the other letters. He also believes that Irvin did this as a way of taunting police.

The investigator also mentioned that Micki's father contacted him a year or two ago to talk about Micki. Furthermore, he mentioned that he believes Irvin was involved in other murders, including one in which a similar confession letter appeared (also naming Irvin). However, he has only been convicted in three cases.

The more details I find out about this case, the more shocked I am over how young so many of the parties involved were.

Ruth got pregnant by Irvin at 15, married him at 17 and divorced him at 18 while simultaneously fearing for her life and running away from him.

The unnamed girlfriend of Irvin who he forced to help him hide Mikki's body was 16.

Even Mikki herself was already married by age 19 and packing a hammer in her purse to defend herself from Irvin.

These people were soooooo young. I can't imagine dealing with all this madness as a teenager. And I also don't understand how this POS Irvin was able to go on living his normal life for as long as he did. He knocks up two underage girls (maybe even more) and neither family presses charges.

And how is it that there wasn't more of a reaction to a man in his mid-20s and into his 30s constantly dating all these underage girls? Was this not considered controversial in the 1970s?

There's too many instances where Irvin could have been given a much earlier punishment and so much of the damage he did could have been prevented, which includes Mikki's murder, but it didn't end up happening. It's maddening.

Those were the days. Remember the Debbie Wolfe case when RS was in a room w/ several blown up shots of Debbie. These nice shots of a nice girl to contrast the creepy murder story. No show has come close to the creep factor of UM.


Holy crap! How wild is it to see your posts from 10 years ago!

Boy, this episode has to rank among the most skimpily reported in UM history.

Boy, this episode has to rank among the most skimpily reported in UM history.

How so? They clearly had a suspect which is why (IMO) the segment was made to get more clear evidence of this person.

How so? They clearly had a suspect which is why (IMO) the segment was made to get more clear evidence of this person.

It depends on a reality where no one ever will look up the details -- even pre-internet