What happened, so far as the record shows
Every entry below is dated and comes from a document Norma’s brother kept: police reports, and letters from city, county, state and federal offices. Each document is reproduced in full on The Record.
Where an account is disputed, it is given as what was said, in the words of the person who said it.
- January 19, 1979
Carl Maynard dies
Norma’s husband, Carl E. Maynard, a World War II veteran, dies. Sixteen days later she is reported missing.
Source: Grave marker, Boone Memorial Gardens - February 4, 1979
Reported missing
Her son tells Boone police that his mother “had left him a note saying that she had to get away for awhile.” The report adds: “***Left for L.A. on Greyhound yesterday at 7:15 pm.”
- December 10, 1979
A second missing person report
Ten months later, a second report is filed. It records that a letter was sent to the Social Security office to check her reported earnings.
- August 11, 1986
Declared dead
Seven years after she was last seen, Norma Maynard is declared dead.
- June 15, 1988
Her brother begins to ask
Boone’s police chief writes to Sidney: “Mrs. Maynard bought a bus ticket for Los Angeles and did board the bus at that time.”
Source: Chief Don Hart · Chapter 10 - August 19, 1988
The state declines
The Iowa Department of Justice replies that “this office does not have investigative resources,” and forwards Sidney’s materials to the Boone County Attorney.
- January 29, 1990
The county attorney sides with the chief
The Boone County Attorney writes that, after speaking with the chief, “frankly, based on his comments, I agreed with his conclusion.”
- March – April 1990
A state investigation opens
After Senator Charles Grassley forwards Sidney’s material, the Division of Criminal Investigation agrees to become involved. On April 17 the Commissioner of Public Safety writes that “the case has been assigned for investigation by our agents.”
- September 1990
Hundreds of hours, and a warning
The Governor’s office reports that the DCI “has spent many hundreds of man-hours” on the case. Three days later, a lawyer acting for Norma’s son writes that “we will be looking into a slander lawsuit against you.”
- 1991
No trace in Salt Lake City or Los Angeles
Salt Lake City police are “unable to find anything, including correspondence or any record.” The Los Angeles police write: “We have been unable to locate her in the City of Los Angeles.”
- March 5, 1992
Homicide
The Governor’s office writes that, according to the DCI, “it has to in fact been concluded that Norma Mae Maynard was the victim of homicide.”
- January 13, 1993
Boone closes its door
The Boone City Attorney writes that the city “will not from this time forward take any further action regarding this matter unless new solid evidence is presented,” and suggests a private investigator.
- July 23, 1999
Still open
Des Moines police write: “At this time, there is an open Missing Person Investigation concerning Norma Maynard.”
- Spring 2000
A stone without a grave
A gravestone is placed in Boone Memorial Gardens. In her brother’s words, it “patiently waits until it can truly mark a burial site.”
Source: Photograph and caption by Sidney S. Louis
The things that do not add up
Set out by the author in the Foreword to his book, as the list of what a reader is asked to accept.
Every entry above is documented
The reports and letters behind this account are reproduced on this site, word for word, with letterheads and signatures intact.
See the record