Donald Ray Hebert was 43 when he was found shot to death in his Des Moines home at 3115 SW McKinley Avenue after failing to report for his United Airlines shift. Hebert had worked a 1:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. shift on Monday, September 8, 1980, and was seen at a southside tavern that evening; patrons recalled he left the tavern with an unknown man.

Hebert’s body was discovered the next day with a single gunshot wound to the head.

Key questions remain: what happened between Hebert leaving the tavern and the fatal encounter at his home, who was the unknown man seen with him, and what was the motive for the shooting? Anyone with memories of Hebert, the tavern, or that neighborhood in September 1980 is encouraged to share information.