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Donnelda Lyons

Case from Quartzsite, AZ dated Jul 31, 1978

Victim Details

Donnelda Lyons

Female

White / Caucasian

Quartzsite

AZ

1978-07-31

23

Donnelda

Lyons

06/20/2026

Case Description

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In the summer of 1978, a young family's journey turned into a horrifying tragedy in the Arizona desert. Donnelda Lyons, a 23-year-old woman, was traveling with her husband, 24-year-old Marine Sergeant John Lyons, their 22-month-old son, Christopher, and their 15-year-old niece, Theresa Tyson. On July 31st, near Quartzsite, Arizona, their path fatefully crossed with that of escaped convicts Gary Tison and his accomplice, Randy Greenawalt. Tison had recently broken out of the Arizona State Prison ...
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Links to Additional Sources (8)

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  • State v. Tison :: 1981 :: Arizona Supreme Court Decisions - Justia Law
  • Greenawalt executed for murders - Tucson Citizen Morgue, Part 2 ...
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    Forum Posts (1)

    I recently came across a mention of Theresa Tyson while reading about the Lyon family tragedy, and I... ...Read More
    07/01/2023
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