DCI Hones Report on Forrest Slaying

FORREST

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 3/3/2013 at 09:26:39

The Grinnell (IA) Herald-Register; Dec. 25, 1980

DCI HONES REPORT ON FORREST SLAYING

Division of Criminal Investigation Director Gerald Shanahan said Tuesday that a lengthy investigation report concerning the Nov. 30 slaying of Penney Sue Forrest, 18, of Grinnell will be submitted to the Tama County attorney shortly after Jan. 1.

Shanahan said that Jeff Corzall, the county attorney who has refused to comment on the case so far, "might have an announcement" to make after he receives the DCI report.

"We have most of the lab reports back, and a few are still pending," the DCI chief said. "The report will be a lengthy one."

Shanahan would not say whether he anticipated an arrest as a result of the DCI report, although he said he is "still optimistic" that the case will be solved.

Penney Forrest's body was discovered at 1 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 30, along a road near the line between Tama and Marshall counties near Montour. Although autopsy results have not been made public, Tama County Medical Examiner Dr. Charles Maplethorpe has cited strangulation as the cause of death. One or more stab wounds were also present, and Forrest reportedly had sustained a broken hip, according to informed sources.

As of Tuesday, no arrest was thought to be imminent. Sources have indicated that much of the investigation, now in its fourth week, was centered in Marshall County, particularly in the Ferguson area, although officials have refused to confirm those reports.

Forrest reportedly was last seen alive at about 2 a.m. the day of her death. That informatiion came from an anonymous caller who told The Herald-Register that he was with the young Grinnell woman at that time. The caller still has not been identified, although authorites confirm that they are aware of the individual's identity.