Homicide
Earl Thelander
80 YOA
Home Residence: 710 1st Street, Onawa, IA
Crime Location: 20877 Gum Ave., Onawa, IA, Monona County
Date of Crime: August 28, 2007
Date of Death: September 1, 2007
Earl Thelander of Onawa, IA, died from second- and third-degree burns sustained over 80% of his body in an August 28, 2007 explosion after copper thieves stripped propane gas lines from a country home he was renovating and let the home fill with propane gas.
With Earl’s death came the nation’s first — and only known to date — innocent fatality resulting from the growing copper theft epidemic.
The estimated value of the copper stolen and exchanged for a good man’s life: less than $20.
KTIV-TV Channel 4 reports on the
Iowa Cold Cases website – June 9, 2008
Copper Thieves Steal Lives
A home where three generations once lived, laughed and loved.
Video made by Jody Ewing and sent to the Iowa Legislature to encourage support of Iowa House Study Bill 660.
I’ll Remember You, Dad Earl
Video made by Earl’s stepdaughter Jody Ewing six months before Earl’s death
