Onawa, IA, Unsolved Cold Cases:
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80 YOA
701 1st St.
Onawa, Iowa
August 28, 2007
On the evening of August 27, 2007 or early morning Aug. 28, thieves broke into Hope and Earl Thelander's vacant rural rental property located at 20877 Gum Ave. in Onawa, IA, where they cut copper propane lines and let the home fill with propane gas. Later that morning, the home exploded when Earl returned to install a new water pump. Earl died four days later on Sept. 1 in an Omaha hospital after suffering second- and third-degree burns over 80% of his body.
Anyone with information on the copper theft causing Earl Thelander's death in Onawa should contact the Monona County Sheriff's Dept. at 1-800-859-1414. The Thelander family has offered a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.