SUSPICIOUS DEATH: Keara Coshow, July 12, 1979, Red Oak, Iowa

On July 12, 1979, a fire at the Hill Top Motel in Red Oak, Iowa claimed the life of 3-year-old Keara Coshow. Investigators were quick to rule Keara’s death a tragic accident: the result of spilled paint thinner being ignited by a gas heater. But suspicions of child abuse by Keara’s stepmother, including an incident that left the 3-year-old almost completely blind, have prompted a decades-long fight for answers from Keara’s sister and other family members. 

In this episode, we discuss the original 1979 investigation report, Keara’s older sister’s recollection of the day of the fire, and the 2007 reopening of her case. 

Although this case is considered closed, if you have any information, please contact Iowa’s Cold Case Unit at 800-242-5100 or coldcase@ag.iowa.gov.

MMIW Organizations: 

https://notournativedaughters.org/ 

https://www.nativehope.org/missing-and-murdered-indigenous-women-mmiw

https://www.miwrc.org/mmiwr 

SOURCES: 

• https://www.iowadatacenter.org/datatables/PlacesAll/plpopulation18502000.pdf
• https://www.pineviewfuneralservice.com/obituary/debra-butler
• https://iowacoldcases.org/case-summaries/keara-coshow/
• https://www.lcotribe.com/
• https://www.thegazette.com/news/where-is-she-iowa-indigenous-communities-grapple-with-missing-and-murder-cold-cases/
• https://www.bia.gov/service/mmu
• https://doctorfire.com/pages/WoodCharring.pdf
• https://www.blazestack.com/blog/the-complete-guide-to-fire-patterns#:~:text=Charring%20Depth%3A%20Greater%20depth%20of,dynamics%20and%20how%20it%20spread. 
• 3-year-old dies in motel fire, July 16, 1979, Red Oak Express
• Complete Coshow death investigation, August 9, 1979, Red Oak Express
• Roy Marshall, Investigation Report Case #7907361, State of Iowa Department of Public Safety State Fire Marshal Division
• State of Iowa Death Certificate (certified reproduction of original record), Keara Coshow, Issued April 23, 2007. 
• Jon Mathis, Closing and Disposition Record Case #0706806, Iowa Department of Public Safety Division of Criminal Investigation
• AUCTION! Hill Top Motel, June 25, 1967, The Daily Nonpareil
• Girl, 3, is killed in fire at motel, July 13, 1979, The Des Moines Register