Lana Alice Torgerson, 23, was murdered in Austin, Minnesota, on June 30, 1973, along with her two young children, Sylvia Ann Torgerson, age 3, and John David Torgerson, age 1, and a 14-year-old babysitter, Rebecca Rathbun. All four victims were found in the family home and had been strangled.

Lana was born Lana Alice Iverson on January 25, 1950, daughter of Vernon Stanley Iverson and Darlene Sylvia Hare. She had married David James Torgerson. The primary suspect in the killings was her husband, 30-year-old David James Torgerson. He had a documented history of mental illness, prior violent behavior while hospitalized at Rochester State Hospital, and a criminal record that included breaking and entering and assault.

After the June 30 killings, David Torgerson was apprehended and returned to custody. While incarcerated he confessed to additional strangulation deaths, including Julie Mehrman, 18, and Linda Wandrus; two other women reportedly survived attacks. Before he could be tried, David Torgerson died by suicide in his prison cell on November 6, 1973.

Did anyone in Austin at the time have information about Lana’s family life or the babysitter that could shed further light on what happened?