The Unraveling of a Cold Case: The Story of Jerry Lynn Burns and the Murder of Michelle Martinko

Early Life of Jerry Lynn Burns

Jerry Lynn Burns was born on December 23, 1953, and raised in Manchester, Iowa. He graduated from West Delaware High School in 1972. Over the years, Burns established himself in the local business community, owning a powder-coating company called Advanced Coating Concepts. He had previously co-owned a truck stop and worked for John Deere. Burns built a home on his family's farmland and opened a gas station and convenience store nearby. He was married to Patricia Burns, who died by suicide in 2008. In 2013, his cousin, Brian Burns, went missing on December 19—the same date as Michelle Martinko's murder in 1979. Brian's remains were found in November 2023, but authorities do not believe Jerry was involved in his disappearance.

The Murder of Michelle Martinko

On December 19, 1979, 18-year-old Michelle Martinko was found stabbed to death in her family's car in the parking lot of Westdale Mall in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. She had suffered multiple stab wounds to her face and chest, with numerous defensive injuries on her hands, indicating a struggle. Despite extensive investigations and over 200 tips, the case remained unsolved for decades. ...Read More

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