Crime Solvers Central
CSC
263 Cases Solved. Advancing justice for missing persons, unsolved homicides, unidentified and unclaimed remains.
Melissa Downing death by force case profile photo

Melissa Jo Downing

Case from Des Moines, IA dated Dec 15, 2014

Victim Details

Melissa Jo Downing

Female

White / Caucasian

Des Moines

IA

2014-12-15

49

Melissa

Jo Downing

06/22/2026

Case Description

Any updates on this case? Let us know!
On December 15, 2014, Melissa Jo Downing, a 49-year-old Caucasian female from Des Moines, Iowa, was tragically killed in her apartment. Her death was the result of a violent act of domestic violence, where she was shot by her 31-year-old husband, Bobby Joe Morris. The couple was known to have a volatile and complex relationship that ultimately culminated in this fatal event.

The shooting occurred in the presence of their four-month-old infant and Downing's 80-year-old mother. In the immed ...
MEMBER ACCESS

Continue reading the complete case summary

Unlock the full case narrative for Melissa Jo Downing, all available source links, additional videos, and member discussions.

Unlock Full Case Access — $3.97/month
Cancel anytime.
Already a member? Log in

Links to Additional Sources (6)

See any mistakes? Let us know!
  • https://www.iowaattorneygeneral.gov/media/cms/DV_Homicide_List_93018_014CDC2E8DA89.pdf
  • Bondurant-Farrar school... - The Des Moines Register
    • MEMBER ACCESS

    Unlock 4 additional sources

    View the complete collection of available reporting and reference links for this case.

    View All Case Sources — $3.97/month
    Cancel anytime.
    Already a member? Log in

    Latest News

    View All

    Forum Posts (3)

    I've been thinking a lot about Melissa Jo Downing's case, especially regarding her four-month-old ba... ...Read More
    10/21/2024
    Hey everyone, I've been following the discussion on Melissa Jo Downing's tragic case, and something ... ...Read More
    10/03/2024
    Has anyone else been following the details about Melissa Jo Downing's tragic case? My heart goes out... ...Read More
    06/28/2023
    MEMBER ACCESS

    Join the discussion for Melissa Jo Downing

    Read full forum posts and contribute to this case discussion.

    Unlock forum access — $3.97/month
    Already a member? Log in

    Other Cases from Des Moines, Iowa

    Nyamal Deng death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Nyamal Deng

    Death: Nov 10, 2021
    Nyamal Deng, a 26-year-old Black / African American woman, was fatally wounded in a shooting that to t ...Read More
    Carrie Russell death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Carrie Russell

    Death: Oct 11, 2010
    In Des Moines, Iowa, on October 11, 2010, a promising life was tragically cut short. Carrie Lynn Rus u ...Read More
    TereseAnn Marie Lynch death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    TereseAnn Marie Lynch

    Death: Nov 11, 2009
    On November 11, 2009, a day meant to honor veterans, TereseAnn Marie Lynch, a 30-year-old White fema m ...Read More
    Elizabeth Arzola death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Elizabeth Arzola

    Death: Jun 06, 2022
    In the early summer evening of June 6, 2022, the life of 21-year-old Elizabeth Arzola was tragically l ...Read More
    Christina Marie Dirks death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Christina Marie Dirks

    Death: May 07, 2021
    In the spring of 2021, the life of Christina Marie Dirks, a 39-year-old White/Caucasian woman, was t ...Read More
    Emma Parker death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Emma Parker

    Death: Dec 19, 2022
    In the winter of 2022, a tragedy unfolded in Des Moines, Iowa, forever altering the lives of a local a ...Read More
    Josie Peterson death by force case in Des Moines, IA

    Josie Peterson

    Death: Mar 08, 2001
    In the spring of 2001, the life of 17-year-old Josie Peterson, a Black/African American female, was s ...Read More