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John F. Lyons

Case from Quartzsite, AZ dated Jul 31, 1978

Victim Details

John F. Lyons

Male

White / Caucasian

Quartzsite

AZ

1978-07-31

24

John

F. Lyons

06/20/2026

Case Description

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John F. Lyons, a 24-year-old Caucasian male, was a Marine Sergeant with a young family. On July 31, 1978, what began as a journey from Yuma, Arizona, to visit relatives in Omaha, Nebraska, turned into a horrific tragedy for him and his loved ones. Traveling with his wife Donnelda, their 22-month-old son Christopher, and their 15-year-old niece Teresa Tyson, the family drove through the Arizona desert. Near the small town of Quartzsite, they came across a seemingly stranded vehicle and, in an act ...
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Links to Additional Sources (4)

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  • The Arizona Republic: The story of Gary Tison's fateful final escape — from those who were there
  • Randy Greenawalt - Wikipedia
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    Forum Posts (2)

    I came across this case while digging into some of the tragic events that took place in Arizona duri... ...Read More
    11/02/2024
    I recently came across a detail in the Lyons family case that truly struck a chord with me. The Lyon... ...Read More
    05/04/2023
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