On a summer evening in Pocatello, Idaho, on June 29, 1993, the life of 11-year-old Caucasian female Jeralee Underwood was tragically cut short. While out collecting money for her newspaper route, a routine she shared with her older brother, Jeralee was abducted. A witness saw a man force her into a car near the corner of Carter and Main Streets and immediately alerted her family.
This began a frantic search for the young girl, with police and community members canvassing the area, setting up checkpoints, and holding prayer vigils.
The break in the case came a week later with the arrest of 45-year-old James Edward Wood. Wood, a man with a lengthy and violent criminal history spanning multiple states, had recently moved to Pocatello. He was at his cousin's home when Jeralee came to the door to collect for the newspaper. Shortly after, Wood left the house, telling his family he was going to buy alcohol. He then approached Jeralee, luring her by claiming a check she had received was no good and that he would give her cash for it. As she looked through her money bag, he forced her into his vehicle.
After kidnapping her, Wood drove Jeralee around, eventually ending up in Idaho Falls. The following day, he took her to a secluded area near the Snake River. There, by some bushes, he shot her in the head. In a confession to investigators, Wood admitted to the horrific details of the crime, including the dismemberment of her body, which he then threw into the river. He led authorities to the location, where they were able to recover her remains.
James Edward Wood was charged with kidnapping and first-degree murder. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to death. His criminal past revealed a trail of violence, including other murders, attempted murders, and rapes. While on death row, his case was subject to a potential re-sentencing due to a Supreme Court ruling. However, before any new trial could take place, Wood died of natural causes in prison on February 1, 2004.
