Sins of the Past: Part 2

Copper Dollar Ranch Murders | March 3, 1983

Authorities arrive to the murder scene (Courtesy: KCCI-TV)

Scenes of violent deaths always seem to be cold and the double murder that was carried out near Newton, Iowa was no exception. Officers at the scene said that in all their years they have never had to investigate homicides with such brutality. The case of the Copper Dollar Murders remains unsolved and is in the true sense of the words;  “A Cold Case”.

The two victims; Steven Fisher and his girlfriend Melisa Gregory were discovered at a ranch northwest of Newton, Iowa. Both of the victims were so badly mutilated that officials had to depend on dental records and fingerprints to confirm their identities. Autopsy reports ruled that the couple died of massive head trauma.

There are many things about this case that appear to make it a crime of passion. The female victim, Melisa Gregory, was found inside a camper trailer at the Ranch which was located about 4 miles northwest of Newton. Her nude body was found at the table in the camper, her arms on the table and her body covered in blood. There was mutilation of the body.

How did this happen? What was the motive?

It is believed that Melisa Gregory was the second victim, the first being her boy friend, Steven Fisher. As law enforcement tried to reconstruct the murders it would appear as though someone came to the Ranch and drew Fisher out of the door toward a vehicle where he was killed. Fisher only had jeans on, his feet were bare.

Copper Dollar Ranch (Courtesy: KCCI-TV)

At first officials believed they had been shot in their heads because of the massive damage done. It was later concluded that the weapon was a hammer type object that was not located at the scene.

At the time of the deaths Steven Fisher was married to Terri Supino but had been separated for several months. Supino and Fisher had two young children.

When the murders occurred Jasper County Sheriff Mike Balmer was a deputy. In a past interview with FindJodi.com,  Balmer said that he believed it was a crime of passion and that someone was angry.

The family of Melisa Gregory and Steven Fisher deserve to have this case solved and bringing those people responsible to justice. In the coming articles, we’ll investigate more of the Copper Dollar Ranch murders.