For journalists, podcasters and researchers
Everything needed to report on the case and the book: a summary, the key dates, the documents and images cleared for use, and who to contact.
The story in brief
Norma Mae Maynard, sixty-one, was reported missing from her home in Boone, Iowa, on February 4, 1979, sixteen days after the death of her husband, Carl. Police were told she had left for Los Angeles on a Greyhound bus. No trace of her has been found.
Her brother, Sidney S. Louis, wrote to police chiefs, county and city attorneys, the Iowa Department of Justice, a U.S. senator, the FBI and the Governor’s office. In March 1992 the Governor’s office wrote that the state Division of Criminal Investigation had concluded she was the victim of homicide. In 1999 Des Moines police described an open missing person investigation. No one has been charged.
His book, For Shame, Boone! For Shame, Iowa! The Disappearance of Norma Maynard, reproduces that correspondence in full.
Quick facts
| Missing person | Norma Mae Maynard, born 1917, of Boone, Iowa |
|---|---|
| Reported missing | February 4, 1979 (Boone Police report 79-336) |
| Declared dead | August 11, 1986 |
| State conclusion | Victim of homicide (Office of the Governor, March 5, 1992) |
| Book | For Shame, Boone! For Shame, Iowa! The Disappearance of Norma Maynard |
| Author | Sidney S. Louis, Norma’s brother; Fort Worth, Texas |
| Publisher | Authors Publishing House, 2026 corrected edition |
| ISBN | 979-8902243816 |
Key documents
Each opens as a full page with a PDF download. All 36 are on The Record.
Boone Police Department
“***Left for L.A. on Greyhound yesterday at 7:15 pm.”
Steven J. Oeth
“…frankly, based on his comments, I agreed with his conclusion.”
Paula S. Dierenfeld
“…it has to in fact been concluded that Norma Mae Maynard was the victim of homicide.”
Alan C. Schroeder
“…I would suggest that you hire a private investigator at your own expense…”
Images for publication
High-resolution files. Please credit as shown.
Family photograph, courtesy of Sidney S. Louis
Download JPG
Courtesy of Sidney S. Louis
Download JPG
Authors Publishing House
Download JPG
Interviews and enquiries
The author is glad to take part in programmes by telephone. Review copies are available to the press, libraries and historical societies.
Alvin Diaz, Director of Operations, Authors Publishing House
Alvin@authorspublishinghouse.com · (786) 788-0202