Cynthia Faye "Cindy" Woods Strong 1947-1969

STRONG, WOODS, ELWOOD, HEISLER

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 2/27/2012 at 23:11:36

Murder Charge is Filed Against Estherville Man
An open charge of murder was filed Saturday evening by city police against Richard Strong, 24, Estherville, in connection with the death of his wife, Cynthia, 22, early Saturday [April 26, 1969] morning.

Strong was being held in jail in Fairmont at mid-morning today after indicating Saturday he would waive extradition. At mid-morning, local authorities were awaiting the completion of legal steps before returning Strong to Estherville for a preliminary hearing.

He was arrested outside a Fairmont Hotel about 8 am. Saturday and held for questioning in connection with the death of his wife.

Mrs. Strong was found by two Estherville policemen in the living room of the couple’s home at 721 S. 10th St., after police were called to the scene about 2:45 a.m. Saturday by Mrs. Strong’s mother, Mrs. Eldon Elwood.

Mrs. Elwood later told authorities she had walked into the home during the course of a quarrel between Strong and his wife.

The official autopsy showed that the victim died of a hemorrhage of the cerebrum and stem of the brain.

A local pathologist was reported continuing efforts this morning to determine the cause of the hemorrhage.

Three agents of the State Bureau of Criminal Investigation arrived here this weekend to assist police and sheriff’s officials in the investigation concerning the death of Mrs. Strong.

Cynthia Faye Strong, 22, died about 2:50 a.m. Saturday at her home at 721 S. 10th, as a result of a massive brain hemorrhage.

She was born March 27, 1947, at Estherville. She graduated from Estherville High School and attended Estherville Junior College for one year.

She was married June 10, 1967, to Richard Strong at Estherville. She has lived in Estherville all her life and before marriage was employed at Holy Family Hospital as a nurses’ aide.

She was a member of the United Methodist Church.

Survivors include her husband, Richard; one son, Rob Michael, 11 months old; her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Elwood, Estherville; one brother, Gregory J. Woods, Grand Forks, N.D.; two sisters, Mrs. George (Cheri) Heisler, Spencer; and Lisa Elwood, Estherville; grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Otis Woods and Mrs. Bessie Elwood, all of Estherville.

A family service will be at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday afternoon at the United Methodist Church in Estherville, followed by public services at 2 p.m., Rev. Richard Pearson officiating. Burial will be in East Side Cemetery.

Pallbearers are Darrell Kirchner, Danny Donovan, Alan Hill, Charles Hassel, Allen Von Hagen, Robert Peterson.

Friends may call at the Reese-Henry Funeral Home anytime today and until 11 a.m. on Tuesday morning when the casket will be taken to the church. The family has established a memorial fund. (Estherville Daily News, Estherville, IA, April 28, 1969)

Note: Richard Strong was acquitted at the conclusion of an eight-day trial.