Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Number 7: Worst nightmare

7. Jon Simpson and Jacob Surber

A parent’s worst nightmare unfolded in September, 1975 when these two boys, ages 12 and 13, failed to return from the Nebraska State Fair. The boys were the victims of abduction and murder. The case was similar to a string of other murders of young boys in the midwest, and many thought that these cases were related--the work of a serial killer.  Although an arrest was made in the case here in Lincoln, the charges were eventually dismissed, William Guatney was released, and has since died.


The Sereies:

14 comments:

Steve said...

I don't know about 1975, but in earlier years, there were some pretty shady (there's that word again) characters working the midway at the fairs. I particularly remember one guy running an obviously rigged game who was ready to do me and my buddies great bodily harm for warning customers away from his scam. Fortunately, an LPD officer happened by, and he kept a low profile after that.

Grundle King said...

Chief, out of curiosity, what are your thoughts on Mr. Guatney's guilt/innocence? The link you provided has 3 comments posted below...one claiming to be a victim of Mr. Guatney, and the other claiming to be a defense lawyer who represented Guatney. It seems there are strong opinions from both sides as to just whether or not this man was a murdering pedophile.

Anonymous said...

Chief-I grew up in a small town where I believe there hasn't been a homicide during my lifetime. This case was my first exposure to a predator viciously killing children. Interestingly, every time I hear of a murder involving kids and some other predator/pedophile anywhere in the country, I think about these two young kids and the railroad car. My exposure to this case was fairly limited. I can't imagine how much it would haunt Noah Van Butsel and others more intimately involved.

I knew this would be a Top 10 case. Just didn't know where it would fit on your list.

256

Former Deputy D said...

I was 5 when this happened, but I remember after this event my parents keeping a very short leash on me and my 3 sisters at the State Fair. I remember asking why we couldn't go in the "Fun House?" my dad replied, "I don't want to go with you and I can't see you all the time." Makes a ton of since now that I'm also a father.
Chief, you were an Officer with LPD when this occurred, what are your thoughts? As a 1 yr Police rookie were you involved in the investigation at all?
These are very interesting posts and I have a list of Top Cases that I think will show up in the final 6. I await yours with great anticipation and look forward to seeing if I did my homework!!

Dave said...

God, I remember this case so very well. My best friend, his girlfriend (Jake Surber's sister) and I dropped them off at the State Fair that day. That was an ugly time to remember.

Anonymous said...

I don't know Chief, maybe some of these families don't need this reminder. I'm best friends with Jacob's little sister, and she feels this is hurtful.

Anonymous said...

12:30

I'm sure the Surber family would like to forget that this happened, but that's impossible.

I think it would be an insult NOT to include this crime on the list.

If I were a Surber family member, I'd be ticked if this crime wasn't considered worthy of the list by the Chief.

256

Jake's little sister said...

You're right Anonymous; my family will never forget what happened to Jake. But no, we would not be offended if we didn't make the "list". It really doesn't matter to us how the chief or anyone else "rates" this crime. But it does seems like every 10 years or so, we have to see this list; or something like it. Why, I don't know. There is one thing I would like to know, Chief. This was a very emotional time and a lot of mistakes were made during the search and investigation. Why not discuss all of the changes in training and procedures when a child goes missing that are now in place because of this horrific crime? Don't you think that's news worthy? What happened to my brother changed my life and that of everyone around me, but some positive and good things did come out of it. Why not share that?

Tom Casady said...

10:00-

There have indeed been huge changes, and many technological advances that have come about during the past 35 years. I have blogged about this topic on a couple of prior occasions. Policy, training, technology, investigative support, laws, and known offender monitoring have all improved dramatically as they pertain to missing children.

One thing I've learned in life is that from every dark cloud, some ray of light eventually emerges.

Anonymous said...

I was eleven when the two neighborhood boys, Jon and Jake, went missing from the Fair. It was heartbreaking and frightening. I can't imagine what a nightmare it was for the two families. I had long forgotten the suspect name, but I have never forgotten Jon and Jake.

Todd said...

I knew both Jon and Jake very well and was a friend. We went to Prescott grade school together and Jake lived in same neighborhood as I did..They dropped by my house that day and wanted me to go with them to the fair. My Mom wouldn't let me since no adult would be going with them. What happened has haunted me for years and the fact that it has never been solved. I went to their funerals and want their family to know if they are reading this, that they have NEVER been forgotten by me. RIP Jon and Jake.

Your friend,
Todd

clarence said...

I also went to Prescott Elem. with Jake & JON,although they were a grade above me,and,inseperable, Jake went out of his way to befriend me,kind of took me under his wing,so to speak.Jake became my pal at a time when many of my classmates(who were all bigger & tougher than me)were being cruel to me on a consistent basis.That all ended when Jake became my friend.Jake stood up for me,and,tried to teach me how to fight so I could stand up for myself better. All of this says a hell of a lot about his character! I too,was asked to go to the fair with them,but,also had to decline because of my parents.No adult supervision.Who knew?I have never forgotten Jake & Jon,nor,will I ever!I lost a good friend that year,a lifetime friend at that,as,I'm sure,many others did! I still,to this day,think about the both of them,always asking,why? RIP Jake & Jon

Old Guardsman - Retired said...

I was a paper boy at the time of this crime. I was in 7th grade at the time this happened. I was in peony park in Omaha with a bunch of other paper boys that went there as a contest prize for getting new customers. I met Jon Simpson that day at Peony Park. I knew him previously from 3rd grade at Clinton school. So when I seen him at Peony Park we talked about being classmates in 3rd grade and he ended up spending the day with my friends and I riding the rides. We had a good time that day and had a lot of fun. I found out about Jon's missing a few days later. At the time, I remember there was rumors that Jon did something to Jake since they didn't find Jon for a few weeks after his disappearance. I knew that couldn't have happened. Eventually they found his body too. I have to say that I have thought about that day at Peony Park with Jon many times over the years. I know that Jon's life ended terribly early and under horrible circumstances. However, I often wished I could have told someone in his family that we had a good day at Peony Park on the roller coasters and riding the bumper cars on his last day before going to the fair that night.

Anonymous said...

So, I came across this story online by chance, and I thought I'd comment on this blog... Even though this part was posted 5+ years ago...

When I read about the letter opener on a different website, I remembered seeing this letter opener online once before. (What can I say? I spend too much time on the internet.) Do you know if this letter opener anything like the one from this case?

http://www.mimideeartwear.com/items/175243/Vintage-Watson-Sterling-Letter-Opener-Female-Graduate