Heraldnet.com
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 6, 2009 3:17 pm
ADVERTISEMENT

LocalNorthwestNation & WorldPoliticsSpecial ReportsPhotosColumnistsMultimedia 
Blog
The Buzz
Good grief!
Your town news
Julie Muhlstein
Columnist Julie Muhlstein's take on life in Snohomish County.
•Latest: Partners rejoice as 'everything but marriage' law takes effect
Kristi O'Harran
Columnist Kristi O'Harran writes about people in Snohomish County.
•Latest: Sculpted elephant shows tradesman's artistic flair
Latest gallery

2009 Christmas House
December 4. 2009 (6 photos)
[More Herald photos]
 
WEEK IN REVIEW
Saturday
Fears over commercial air service at Paine Fiel...
Gift charity draws Snohomish County families in...
Donated safe gives Marysville museum a mystery
Friday


From behind bars, pal tells Colton Harris-Moore...
Commercial airlines would cause few problems at...
Fund set up to benefit children of couple kille...
Thursday


5 die of swine flu in Snohomish County
Red Cross honors acts of heroism, many by ordin...
Barista clothing rules delayed by County Council
Wednesday


Father gets 13 years in 6-year-old's fatal shoo...
‘One bad choice' blamed in death of 4 fri...
Reps. Larsen, Inslee split on Obama's plans for...
Tuesday


Lynnwood swimmer turns therapy into competitive...
Highway 9 crash is worst alcohol-related accide...
Crash victim warned his students against DUI
Monday


Victims of Highway 9 crash ID'd; suspect booked...
Suspect in officer killings eludes law in Seattle
New laws for Snohomish County bikini baristas?
Sunday


Extended lack of work takes its toll on Snohomi...
Four die in car crash near Marysville
Gathering in Tacoma mourns slain Lakewood officers
 

ADVERTISEMENT

Local News   Print This Article  Email This Page  Subscribe Now! facebook digg reddit del.icio.us fark stumble

HERALD STAFF  (click to enlarge)
Playing cards with photographs of cold case victims issued to inmates to help solve the crimes. Vera Alex is on the eight of spades.
 
ADVERTISEMENT

 
 
CONTACT THE HERALD
Robert Frank, City Editor
frank@heraldnet.com
 
Published: Sunday, March 22, 2009

Police seek clues in 1982 Gold Bar slaying

GOLD BAR -- Robert Alex told police his wife was missing.

He first thought she left their Gold Bar home to visit relatives. She hadn't come back. He called police.

A man walking his dog found Vera Lorraine Alex about two weeks later.

Her battered body was lying between the north bank of the Skykomish River and U.S. 2 just across from town. The 34-year-old homemaker was beaten to death.

The 1982 slaying remains an open investigation.

Alex is part of the state's first deck of cold-case playing cards. She is featured on the eight of spades. Snohomish County sheriff's detectives created the playing cards last year in an attempt to solve homicides and missing persons cases dating back to the 1970s.

More than 3,000 decks have been handed out to inmates in the state's prisons and jails in hopes of soliciting new leads for investigations that have stalled. Inmates are offered a $1,000 reward for valuable tips.

Sheriff's detectives have received some calls but no arrests have been made in the unsolved cases. They are hoping that people who may have been afraid to speak up at the time, would feel compelled to step forward now.

Alex was last seen alive on Oct. 22, 1982. Her remains were found on Nov. 9, 1982.

Jack Pardee, Gold Bar police chief at the time, told reporters that Alex was well-known in town.

"She was one of our locals, like me or anybody else," Pardee was quoted.



Diana Hefley: 425-339-3463, hefley@heraldnet.com.

About this series

Snohomish County sheriff's detectives created the state's first deck of cold-case playing cards. Each Sunday for a year, The Herald is publishing a story about a case featured on one of the cards. To see the 52 cards, go to www.heraldnet.com.

Anyone with information about unsolved homicides or missing persons cases is asked to call 800-222-TIPS (8477). A reward of up to $1,000 is offered.

Tips also can be left on the sheriff's tip line at 425-388-3845. Callers may remain anonymous, although tips have been more successful when callers speak with detectives, police said.

READER COMMENTS
Be the first to comment.
You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet.

To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click hereLog out

1. Tulalip man, 20, charged with baby boy's murder
2. Donated safe gives Marysville museum a mystery
3. Fears over commercial air service at Paine Field dismissed
4. Everett officer charged with manslaughter reveals plan for defense
5. Merchants reject security for downtown Snohomish
6. Holmgren interested in returning to Seahawks
7. Friends open account for orphaned daughters of Highway 9 crash victims
8. Crack That Safe
9. Country singing contestant Chance McKinney amazed by his fans
10. Have M’s, Figgins reached a deal?
Enterprise Newspaper Snohomish County Business Journal
Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis
‘Nutcracker' times three
Road warrior
Mavericks reloading
Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings
Cities prepare for winter blast repeat
Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney
This Weekend in Your Town
Tips for the stormy season
The Enterprise Online Newspaper


Holiday Specials
up to 25% off!

Over 1 Million Lights
Lights of Christmas

Oil - Snohomish County
Low Prices - Fill Now!

We've Got You Covered for hte Holidays!
20% OFF Re-Upholstery or Custom Furniture!

Nutcracker
Family Packs Available

15% Off
All Repairs!

75% OFF
Many Items. Hurry!

$2 OFF
at Box Office

25% off Bath & Groom
New Customers

$2.99 Chili Dog
$3.99 Fish Burger

Buy 1 Dinner Entree
Get 2nd 50% Off

Holiday Getaway
$99 dbl Occupancy

Lube, Oil & Filter
Buy 1 - Get 1 FREE

FREE 6 lb. Pad w/
30yd Carpet Purchase

Always Free
Transmission Diagnostic

Special Rebate Offers!
Plus Get Additional 30% OFF!

20% Off Dinner
Up to $75 Value!

Buy 1 Get 1 FREE
Lube Oil Filter

$5 Off
Stylecut

$95 Dryer Vent Cleaning!
$99 Whole House Duct Cleaning Special!
TODAY'S TOP JOBS
 View All Top Jobs 
Top Cars
Top Homes

ADVERTISEMENT