In the small town of Eddyville, Iowa, a tragic event unfolded on January 3, 1978, forever altering the lives of a local family. John Franklin Sr., a 35-year-old White male factory worker, and his 22-year-old wife, Michelle, were found shot to death in their home. The grim discovery was made by Michelle's mother on January 4, 1978. Investigators determined that the couple had been killed sometime between 10 p.m.
and midnight the previous night.
The investigation into the double homicide quickly focused on a suspect from within the family circle. John Franklin Jr., the 14-year-old son of John Franklin Sr. from a previous marriage, was identified as the primary person of interest. The morning after the murders, police picked up John Jr. as a runaway. He was subsequently charged with the murders of his father and stepmother. It was reported that the young man had confessed to the crimes during the investigation.
Despite the initial charges and the alleged confession, the legal proceedings took an unexpected turn. When the case went to trial, John Franklin Jr. was acquitted of all charges. This surprising verdict left the community and law enforcement with more questions than answers. With no one held responsible, the brutal killings of John and Michelle Franklin remain a dark chapter in Eddyville's history, a case that is officially unsolved.
