206 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Case Description
Any updates on this case?
A 50 year old man is shot during an attempted robbery in Des Moines, IA
In the late hours of a Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa, the life of Ernest Lilly, a 50-year-old Caucasian man, was irrevocably altered. On September 11, 1973, as the clock neared 2:50 a.m., Lilly was leaving Frank's Tavern. As he made his way through the parking lot towards his car, he was suddenly shot in what investigators believed was an attempted robbery.
The single gunshot wound proved to be devastating. For three months, Ernest Lilly fought for his life in a local hospital. Despit ...Read More
In the late hours of a Tuesday night in Des Moines, Iowa, the life of Ernest Lilly, a 50-year-old Caucasian man, was irrevocably altered. On September 11, 1973, as the clock neared 2:50 a.m., Lilly was leaving Frank's Tavern. As he made his way through the parking lot towards his car, he was suddenly shot in what investigators believed was an attempted robbery.
The single gunshot wound proved to be devastating. For three months, Ernest Lilly fought for his life in a local hospital. Despit ...Read More
Links to Additional Sources (2)
See any mistakes?Victim Details
Ernest Lilly
August 8, 2022
Male
Caucasian / White
Des Moines
IA
1973-09-11
1923-04-11
50
Ernest
Lilly
11/05/2025
Area Body Found:
Forum Posts (3)
Does anyone else feel like the shooting of Ernest Harold Lilly Sr. should get more attention in unso... ...Read More
08/10/2024
08/10/2024
Has anyone looked into the state of the security around Frank’s Place back in 1973? I know it was ... ...Read More
02/22/2024
02/22/2024
I've been diving into Ernest Harold Lilly Sr.'s case, and something that really strikes me is the sh... ...Read More
09/20/2023
09/20/2023
