Ashley Flowers

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I would also love to hear from people who might know of similar crimes that maybe happened around the Midwest or beyond in the 80s and 90s.

Because until investigators identify the man that brutally murdered Tom Mather, the possibility of a stranger cannot be dismissed, at least not to me.

But that's not quite how Sheriff Weathington sees it.

Sheriff Weathington's point is that if a naked stranger entered the Mather farmhouse, there should be some foreign DNA evidence somewhere.

But of the evidence that has been tested, it all seems to belong to everyone who belonged in that farmhouse.

But more is being tested as we speak.

The sheriff's office has submitted DNA evidence for new testing, and they're waiting on the results.

Sheriff Weathington couldn't share the details about which items were resubmitted, but the office did confirm that they have kept the physical evidence, including the rope that Tom was bound with and the bloody knife.

In addition to retesting forensic evidence, former Sheriff Whitlatch believes that there are other avenues to solve this case as well.

Catherine told our reporter that the town hasn't been the same since her cousin died.

And even decades later, the unsolved case still haunts former Sheriff Whitlatch.

One thing is for certain, the sheriff's office is not going to forget about Tom's case.

If you have any information about the murder of Thomas Mather on September 30th, 1991 in Springdale, Iowa, please contact the Iowa Attorney General's Cold Case Unit.

Or if you'd like to remain anonymous, you can call Crime Stoppers at 563-886-6618.

There is a reward being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.

The Deck is an Audiochuck production with theme music by Ryan Lewis.

To learn more about The Deck and our advocacy work, visit thedeckpodcast.com.

I think Chuck would approve.

Hi, Crime Junkies.