On February 11, 2017 a body was found in Indian Path Park in Wever, Iowa. The victim was identified as James Merlin Nelson, a 47-year-old White man from Fairfield. Investigators concluded Nelson’s death was a homicide caused by gunfire; his body had been left in the park miles from where the shooting occurred.

Authorities traced the killing to Joseph Mayorga Jr., a 35-year-old man from Burlington. Mayorga shot Nelson once in the eye with a .38 caliber revolver, then drove the body to Indian Path Park and left it there.

Mayorga was arrested and charged with first-degree murder; he later pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and received a 50-year prison sentence. Nelson’s family spoke at the proceedings about the loss they suffered. Does anyone have information about Nelson’s last known movements before that day or recalls seeing the Impala in the area?