The Unsolved I‑70 Killer: A Cold Case Across the Midwest

Name: The I-70 Serial Killer
Uploaded: 2026-02-01T18:34:03.419057+00:00
Channel: Pandox
Description: Summary and key takeaways on The Unsolved I‑70 Killer: A Cold Case Across the Midwest, covering Overview In the spring of 1992 a series of brutal murders

Pandox

Feb 01, 2026

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3 min read

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Overview

In the spring of 1992 a series of brutal murders shocked small retail stores along Interstate 70 and later Interstate 35. The perpetrator, dubbed the I‑70 Killer, targeted under‑staffed shops, escorted victims to back rooms and executed them with a .22 caliber pistol. Six murders were linked by ballistics, though one victim (Michael McCown) differed slightly in method.

Known Victims

Robin Fuldauer (26) – Payless Shoesource, Indianapolis, IN – shot in a storage room after a brief robbery.
Patricia Smith (23) & Patricia Magers (32) – La Bride d’Elegance, Wichita, KS – both shot in the back of the bridal shop.
Michael McCown (40) – Sylvia’s Ceramic Shop, Terre Haute, IN – shot at close range while reaching for merchandise; register not emptied.
Nancy Kitzmiller (24) – Boot Village, St. Charles, MO – shot in the office after assisting a customer.
Sarah Blessing (37) – Store of Many Colors, Raytown, MO – found face‑down in the back room after a neighbor heard a pop.
Vicki Webb (35) – Alternatives Gift Shop, Houston, TX – survived a neck shot; gun misfired on a second attempt.

Investigation Highlights

Ballistics: All murders (except McCown) used the same .22 caliber ammunition and pistol.
Witness Sketches: Described a 5’7”, 150‑lb man with dull red hair, sleepy eyes, and a stubbled beard.
Crime Scene Patterns: Small, low‑traffic stores off the interstate; victims were primarily female clerks; minimal cash taken.
Forensic Clues: Ammunition contained traces of corundum and rouge, suggesting the killer may have worked with metal‑working or weapon maintenance.

Possible Connection to the I‑35 Killer

Mary Ann Glasscock (51) – Emporium Antiques, Fort Worth, TX – shot with a .22 pistol, similar victim profile.
Amy Vess (22) – Dancers Closet, Arlington, TX – shot twice, cash taken, MO matched.
Investigators’ View: Ballistics differed, leading Texas authorities to reject a direct link, though some theorists propose a weapon change.

Criminal Profile

Age: 35‑50 at time of crimes.
Physical Traits: Thinning red hair combed forward, sleepy/ lazy eyelids, average build.
Behavior: Organized, methodical, likely employed a high‑capacity magazine, possibly a traveling worker (salesman, truck driver, or subcontractor) who could scout stores from his vehicle.
Motivation: Not robbery; killings appear ritualistic and control‑oriented, targeting women who fit a specific appearance.

Recent Developments (2021‑2022)

St. Charles Police re‑opened the case, forming a multi‑agency task force.
Age‑progressed sketch released to the public.
DNA testing on trace evidence is underway; results pending.
New lead ties a 2001 murder of clerk Billy Brossman (7 blocks from McCown’s killing) to the pattern, though ballistics differ.
Speculation about Neal Falls as the possible perpetrator; DNA tests on his belongings have been inconclusive.

Theories & Open Questions

Opportunistic vs. Planned: While some murders fit a spontaneous model, the consistency of victim type and weapon suggests planning.
Survivor Insight: Vicki Webb’s survival provides a rare eyewitness account, but the killer fled before she could identify him.
Geographic Spread: The interstate corridor may have served as a hunting ground, allowing the killer to remain anonymous.
Unidentified Motive: The presence of abrasive and lubricant residues on ammunition hints at a personal or occupational link yet to be uncovered.

The case remains one of the Midwest’s most perplexing cold cases, with renewed forensic technology offering a glimmer of hope for resolution.

Despite renewed investigations, forensic advances, and public appeals, the I‑70 Killer remains at large, illustrating how a methodical serial offender can evade capture for decades while leaving a trail of unanswered questions.

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Helpful resources related to this video

If you want to practice or explore the concepts discussed in the video, these commonly used tools may help.

Forensic Dna Testing Kit Amazon Recommended

Allows amateur investigators and true‑crime enthusiasts to process trace evidence at home, helping to understand modern cold‑case techniques

Amazon →

True Crime Serial Killers Book Amazon

Provides detailed case studies of unsolved serial murders, offering context and investigative insights for readers interested in the I‑70 Killer

Amazon →

Intratec Scorpion Replica .22 Pistol Amazon

A replica of the weapon type linked to the murders, useful for collectors and educators demonstrating ballistics in true‑crime discussions

Amazon →

Criminal Profiling Handbook Amazon

Explains how profilers build offender portraits, directly relevant to understanding the I‑70 Killer’s characteristics

Amazon →

Cold Case Investigation Guide Amazon

Offers step‑by‑step methods for re‑examining unsolved crimes, mirroring the renewed efforts on the I‑70 Killer case

Amazon →

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Full Transcript YouTube

In 1992, a man with dull red hair and sleepy
eyes stalked retail stores along Interstate
70 between Indianapolis and Witchita. He selected
businesses that were under-trafficked and
understaffed.
He surveyed shops from the parking lot, looking
through plate glass to determine if the potential
victim fit his profile. He would pretend to
be a customer, casing the interior of the
building to determine if they were truly alone.
Then, he would ambush his victim with a .22
caliber pistol, escorting them out of view
and executing them with a shot to the back
of the head.
He came to be known as the I-70 Killer, claiming
six victims within a month. Some speculate
he is connected to another spree of killings
in Texas, where he is known as the I-35 Killer.
At the time of investigation, some detectives
described these cases as going cold as soon
as the crime was committed. They were left
with few leads and even fewer suspects. These
cases have remained unsolved for decades,
and to this day, the I-70 Killer has not been
caught.
The St. Charles Police Department in Missouri
renewed their investigation efforts in October
2021, reuniting a task force between multiple
state and federal agencies. They plan to reexamine
thousands of case files tucked into ten cabinet
drawers within the walls of the precinct building.
The 
story of the I-70 Killer begins with Robin
Fuldauer.
On April 8th, 1992, Robin Fuldauer, age 26,
had to cover the afternoon shift at Payless
Shoesource when one of her employees called
off. She was the manager, and the store only
had two full-time employees with several part-timers.
The limited staff meant this wasn't her first
time being called in, and she would likely
have to work the store alone.
Located on the outer edge of Indianapolis
at 7325 Pendleton Pike, the store had lax
security measures. There were no cameras or
alarm systems; the only precaution was a buzzer
that notified employees when someone entered
the store.
Police are uncertain of the specifics of that
afternoon.
They would later review transactions conducted
at the register to determine a timeline. The
last purchased occurred at 1:12 PM, including
one pair of men's shoes and one pair of women's
shoes.
Police believe that shortly after, Fuldauer
was escorted to the storage room in the back
of the building. There, she was fatally shot
with a .22 caliber pistol. The perpetrator
emptied the register and left through the
rear exit.
In the passing hours, potential customers
arrived, and seeing the store unattended,
they stole shoes, unaware of Fuldauer in the
back of the store. It wasn't until a worker
from the Speedway gas station next door arrived
that Fuldauer was finally discovered.
Although the register likely couldn't have
contained more than a few hundred dollars,
the operating theory for police was that this
was a robbery gone wrong.
However, this would come to change.
Patricia Smith and Patricia Magers, ages 23
and 32, worked at La Bride d'Elegance, a bridal
shop at 4613 East Kellogg in Wichita Kansas.
Magers owned the store with her husband, and
Smith was a parttime employee, who was working
as a bridal consultant while pursuing a nursing
degree at Witchita State, as she wanted to
go into pediatric care.
The store was scheduled to close at 6:00 PM
that night. However, the two women planned
to stay late for a male customer, who needed
to pick up a cummerbund. Smith's husband,
Norman, waited up for her, and when she didn't
return home after work at 6:15 PM, he called
the store. There was no answer.
Police believe the two women opened the doors
to a man, thinking their customer had arrived.
Tragically, it was the I-70 Killer armed with
a .22 caliber semi-automatic firearm. He led
the two women to the back of the bridal shop
to a room that served as a work area and office.
It was here that he shot both women in the
back of the head.
The perpetrator emptied the register, and
as he was fleeing the store, he encountered
the male customer who had arrived to pick
up his cummerbund. He ordered the man into
the store at gunpoint. In an act of defiance,
the man refused and fled the scene, luckily,
without incident.
This witness would later provide police with
a sketch of the perpetrator.
He was described as 5'7 and 150 pounds with
dull red hair, cut short. His face was stubbled.
The police matched ballistics at the scene
with those found with Fuldauer, and law enforcement
knew they were dealing with a serial killer.
Michael McCown, age 40, was working at Sylivia's
Ceramic Shop. Located at 2615 South 3rd street
in Terre Haute, Indiana, the store belonged
to McCown's mother.
With no video evidence or witnesses, detectives
have tried to recreate the scene of events.
It's likely that McCown was directed by a
customer to retrieve a small white ceramic
house on a shelf behind the counter. When
he turned to grab the house, he was shot at
close range to the back of the head. Some
sources cite gunpowder stippling at the wound,
suggesting the barrel of the gun was less
than 4 inches away.
The register had not been emptied, and fifteen
dollars remained in McCown's pocket. However,
his wallet was gone.
The slaying of Michael McCown differed in
many ways from the modus operandi of the I-70
Killer. McCown was the sole male victim, and
he was not escorted to a back room.
It has been widely reported that McCown had
long hair and an earring at the time of death,
suggesting he could have been mistaken for
a woman. However, this has been called into
question. One of his sisters revealed that
McCown had short hair at the time of the killing.
Additionally, at such close range, it would
be difficult to mistake gender.
These differences suggest the I-70 Killer
could have been more opportunistic than originally
profiled. McCown may not have fit the preferred
victim profile, but he was slain anyway.
It may also suggest that the I-70 Killer was
less spontaneous than suggested. It's important
to note that Sylvia's store was typically
operated by McCown's mother. Perhaps the store
had been surveyed at a previous date, identifying
McCown's mother as a preferred victim, only
to discover her son at the register on April
27th.
Nancy Kitzmiller, age 24, managed Boot Village,
a western footwear shop in St. Charles, Missouri,
just outside St. Louis. She had recently graduated
with a degree in geography from Oklahoma State,
and she was weeks away from starting a job
with the Defense Mapping Agency.
She was filling in for an employee who had
called off, and her shift started at noon
that day. The store was located between a
beauty salon and veterinary clinic in Bogey
Hills Plaza, and on that day, it was busy
with shoppers.
Witnesses spotted Kitzmiller helping a customer
at 2:30 PM. They described him as medium height
with dull red hair. Only minutes later, she
was found by customers in the office at the
rear of the store. She had been shot in the
head.
A small amount of cash was missing from the
register, but the perpetrator had already
fled the scene.
On May 7 1992, Sarah Blessing, age 37, opened
the Store of Many Colors around noon. The
New Age shop was located in Raytown Missouri,
near Kansas City, in the Woodson Village Shopping
Center. It was typically worked by only one
employee at a time.
At 6:15 PM, Tim Hickman, the owner of a VHS
store that neighbored the Store of Many Colors,
spotted an unidentified man loitering in the
area. He had dark hair, and he wore a tweed
jacket that would have been too warm for the
weather.
Hickman later heard a pop through the cinderblock
walls that separated their stores. He spotted
the man exiting the Store of Many Colors.
The man rounded the corner and disappeared
behind the building. Hickman found Blessing
face down in the back room of her store with
a gunshot wound to the head.
His eyewitness account gave police another
opportunity to create a police sketch, hoping
it would drum up more leads.
The six murders along Interstate 70 were connected
through ballistics. The perpetrator had used
the same .22 caliber ammunition and pistol
in all six killings. The victim profiles matched
for all but McCown. The killer was hunting
female store clerks, young brunettes, and
he was murdering them, execution style. This
wasn't about robbery; this was about homicide.
For some, this is the end of the spree for
the I-70 Killer. However, many believe he
continued his killings a year later and a
few states away.
The I-35 Killer
Mary Ann Glasscock, age 51, owned and worked
the register at Emporium Antiques in Fort
Worth, Texas. The store was located at 4709
Bryce, near Interstate 35.
Glasscock phoned a repairman to reschedule
an appointment as she would be late to the
shop. Robert Johnson arrived at the store
at 11:30 AM and found a female customer waiting
outside. She told him that she had been knocking,
but the store appeared to be empty.
Johnson entered the unlocked store and found
Glasscock partially nude with her pants pulled
to her ankles. She had suffered a gunshot
wound to the head, and she lay in a pool of
blood. Nearby, a .22 caliber shell casing
was found.
The perpetrator had emptied the register and
taken Glasscock's keys; however, her car was
found in the parking lot by investigators.
Glasscock's murder was similar to the I-70
Killings in many ways. A single female brunette
store clerk was shot, execution-style with
a .22 caliber pistol. Robbery didn't seem
to be a motive, and the killer left with a
trophy.
However, ballistics wouldn't match the previous
spree of killings, and Texas investigators
rejected the notion that these killings were
committed by the same perpetrator.
Amy Vess, age 22, worked the register at Dancers
Closet, a dance apparel store located at 4001
West Green Oaks in Arlington, Texas. This
location was only a short drive away from
the previous scene.
Similar to Nancy Kitzmiller, Vess was not
meant to be working on that evening. She had
been called in to the dance shop to cover
a shift. Sometime between 6:15 PM and 6:22
PM, a stranger entered the store and ordered
the woman to the backroom. He shot her twice,
once in the neck behind the left ear and once
in the back of the head.
As he fled the store, he emptied the cash
register of $200 dollars and disappeared.
One source reported that the neighboring store
owner saw a strange man in the parking lot
at 6:15 PM. He wore a wig and white headband.
When investigators of the I-70 Killings heard
about Vess, they were anxious to connect the
cases. They identified the matching MO and
victim profile, proposing that ballistics
didn't match because the killer had simply
switched weapons.
Again, Texas investigators were reluctant
to connect the cases. They admitted there
were similarities, but they remained unconvinced.
Vicki Webb, age 35, worked the register at
Alternatives gift shop. It was located in
the Rice Village shopping district across
from Houston's Rice University.
It was 10 AM that Saturday when a short man
with shaggy hair, estimated at 50 years old,
entered the store briefly, leaving only to
return a little more than an hour later. He
spoke at length with Webb. He told her his
niece was on her way to meet him. Similar
to his interaction with McCown, he attempted
to purchase an item, a small copper picture
frame. During the transaction, he shot Webb
in the back of the neck, and the bullet struck
her between the second and third vertebrae.
She was paralyzed from the waist down but
still alive.
The man jumped the counter and emptied the
register of $75 dollars. Then, he pulled Webb's
pants to her ankles, just as had been done
with Mary Ann Glasscock. Lastly, he put the
gun to her head and pulled the trigger, but
the gun misfired. He laughed, but before he
could clear the jam, he was startled by a
vehicle outside and fled the scene.
Webb was even luckier as doctors discovered
she had an abnormally large spine, which allowed
her to rehabilitate after her injury, regaining
the ability to walk after just three weeks.
Webb would be the only surviving victim.
Criminal Profile
Investigators of the I-70 and I-35 killings
began to compare notes and piece together
a profile of their perpetrator.
Their physical description came from the surviving
eye-witnesses. The perpetrator had lazy eyelids,
and he was described as looking sleepy. He
was between 35-50 years old at the time. He
had thinning red hair, combed forward. He
was of average build and height, and he was
regularly described as having a stubbled beard.
In 2012, the St. Charles Police Department
revealed additional information about the
.22 caliber pistol used in the I-70 Killings.
They suggested it could have been an Intratec
Scorpion or Erma Werke Model ET 22. The ammunition
was CCI brand .22-caliber long rifle copper-clad
lead bullets. This ammunition and caliber
are among the most popular in the United States.
There was one distinguishing trait about the
ammunition used in these killings. It contained
traces of corundum and rouge.
Corundum is an abrasive, and rouge is a lubricant.
This suggested that the perpetrator was employed
as a machinist, familiar with grinding or
polishing metals. Alternatively, these materials
are used in the maintenance of weapons; the
rouge may have been used to polish the feed
ramp for the pistol. Or, these materials could
have been used in a process called "fire lapping,"
a process where bullets are coated in an lubricated
abrasive and fired through the barrel to clean
or change the rifling of a weapon.
As there remains little evidence, criminal
profiling will likely be necessary to identify
suspects. The following is a limited profile
of the I-70 killer:
• He targeted small stores off interstates
70 and 35. These were not heavily trafficked
establishments, which suggested that robbery
was not a motive, although he did take the
small amounts in the register.
• Store names and sold goods suggested they
would be operated by females, La Bride d'Elegance
and Sylivia's Ceramics, craft stores and boot
shops. Perhaps the killer was selecting these
stores as they would have a higher potential
for a victim who fit his preferred profile.
• The ritualism of these killings, and the
control exhibited by the killer suggest he
was an organized serial killer. These individuals
are often characterized as having high intelligence,
underemployment, social competence and more.
They plan their offenses, often target strangers,
and they demand submission from their victims.
While the prevailing theory is that these
murders were simply opportunistic, many of
the characteristics suggest this killer was
organized and methodical.
• The I-70 killer was a spree killer, operating
in short bursts before going docile. This
demonstrates a reasonable of self-control.
• Some speculate that the long distances
suggested that he may have been a traveling
salesman, truck driver, or construction subcontractor.
If this is the case, his vehicle was likely
branded for business and would have been easily
recognizable. Additionally, every crime scene
neighbors a nearby residential area, and it
has been suggested that the killer parked
in these residential areas and walked to the
crime scene, only fleeing to his vehicle off-site
after the commission of a crime. This would
imply that the I-70 killer was somewhat familiar
with his intendent targets and the areas surrounding
his potential crime scenes. Perhaps these
killings weren't acts of pure spontaneity.
Perhaps the I-70 Killer surveilled these stores,
selecting employees who fit his preferred
profile, and returning at another time to
commit his crime.
• The bullets had ejection marks suggesting
that the killer was using a weapon with a
high-capacity ammo clip, meaning he arrived
at the scene prepared to shoot a lot.
In 2021, the St. Charles police department
renewed their efforts to crack this cold case.
They released an age-progressed police sketch
and reunited the original agencies involved
in the investigation. They sent samples for
DNA testing, as technological innovations
allow for improved testing on trace evidence.
As of November 2021, results are still pending.
Additionally, investigators received a new
lead connected to a similar crime in 2001,
the convenience store robbery and murder of
clerk Billy Brossman. This murder occurred
just 7 blocks away from the murder of Michael
McCown. Although the crime was featured on
America's Most Wanted, it has never been solved.
Police have stated there are similarities
between the cases, but ballistics don't match
the 1992 murders.
Some have suggested that deceased serial killer
Neal Falls could have been the I-70 killer.
In 2015, Falls attempted to abduct a sex worker,
Heather Saul, in her home in West Virginia.
During the attempted abduction, Saul broke
free and fatally shot Falls. When investigating
the crime scene, police found handcuffs, knives,
bulletproof vests, shovels, machetes, hammers,
and more in Falls trunk. This was clearly
a kill kit. Police connected objects in his
vehicle to nine other murdered women, some
of whom were in Illinois.
Falls was in his 20s at the time of the murders,
living in Kansas. He resembled the police
sketches and matched the physical descriptions
given by witnesses. He was an organized serial
killer with a hatred for women. In 2018, police
tested some of his belongings, but investigators
found no definitive connection to the I-70
Killings.
Interstate highways run like veins through
America, traffic coursing through cities and
small towns alike. But, they can be part of
a dark underbelly. With absolute anonymity
and easy access, these highway are frequent
hunting grounds for monster. The I-70 Killer
was one of those monsters, preying on victims
alongside the interstate, and hauntingly,
he is still out there somewhere.