Who were the primary suspects in the murder case?

Mike Harding, Andrew Rich, Sharon Schneider

How was the time of John Helble's death determined?

Autopsy revealed body condition and dog's discovery

Suspected witness, evidence linking to suspect

Andy Rich - 35 years, Sharon Schneider - 6 months

Lack of forensic evidence at the murder scene prompted investigators to consider the victim's dog, Keisha, as a key witness, eventually leading to crucial evidence linking the dog to the crime through DNA analysis.
The involvement of Andy Rich in John Helble's murder was uncovered through meticulous forensic analysis, including mitochondrial DNA testing of animal hairs, handwriting analysis, and dog DNA, ultimately resulting in his arrest and conviction for first-degree robbery and voluntary manslaughter.

Who were the primary suspects in the murder case?
Mike Harding, Andrew Rich, Sharon Schneider
What was the motive for John Helble's murder?
Missing prized gun collection
How was the time of John Helble's death determined?
Autopsy revealed body condition and dog's discovery
What role did John Helble's dog play in the investigation?
Suspected witness, evidence linking to suspect
What were the legal outcomes for the suspects in John Helble's murder?
Andy Rich - 35 years, Sharon Schneider - 6 months

00:00

Investigators found no forensic evidence at the murder scene, leading them to suspect the victim's dog as a witness.
John Helble, a 28-year-old resident of North Liberty, Iowa, was described as a recluse and possibly involved in narcotics.
In February 1999, John's mother reported him missing for over two months, leading to the discovery of his body in his trailer.
John had been shot twice in the back of the head with a .22 caliber pistol, and his body was found in an advanced state of decomposition.
His prized gun collection, including a customized Gold Cup .45 semiautomatic pistol, was missing, suggesting a motive for the murder.
John's 3-year-old Husky, Keisha, was also missing, but a dog matching her description was found wandering miles away.
Keisha was identified by John's parents, suggesting she had been transported and dropped off after the murder.
Autopsy revealed John had been killed long before his body was found, with his dog found on January 22, indicating the time of death.
Three primary suspects were identified - Mike Harding, Andrew Rich, and Sharon Schneider, with evidence pointing towards them.
The investigation turned towards John's dog, Keisha, for more information, leading to suspicions of Andrew Rich's involvement in the murder.

12:00

John's van was taken to his home, and then their car was driven back to Wyoming.
The narrator was unaware of John's death and questioned why he had guns.
Sharon mentioned that Andy left alone with the guns after a brief stay in Wyoming.
Andy left for Texas in the middle of the night or around 4:00 in the morning and was gone for three weeks.
Police visited a man Andy stayed with in Texas who had a gold cup .45 caliber semiautomatic pistol from Andy to pay off a drug debt.
Mitochondrial DNA from animal hairs found in ammunition box linked to Keisha's hair, a rare haplotype occurring in 1 in 300 dogs.
Forensic evidence, including handwriting analysis and dog DNA, led to Andy Rich's arrest and charge for John Helble's murder.
Andy Rich pleaded guilty to first-degree robbery and voluntary manslaughter, receiving a 35-year prison sentence, while Sharon Schneider was charged for drug possession and sentenced to 6 months in a halfway house and 2 1/2 years probation.