George Heinrich & Marlene Mazzola Killer- Montana- 1980

(Above photo credit: Yellowstone County Cold Case website):

BILLINGS -

Advancements in technology and DNA analysis may breathe new life into the cold case murder of a Billings couple 35 years ago.

On Sep. 21, 1980, the bodies of George Heinrich, 58, and Marlene Mazzola, 42, were discovered by Heinrich’s 17-year-old daughter in his home.

"People have asked me, 'What would you do if you came face to face with your dad's killer, and it would be to ask them 'why?'" said Peggy Wash, Heinrich’s daughter.

Peggy Wash has asked herself this question many times in the 35 years since she discovered her father's lifeless body.

"Dad was lying on the other side of the doorway,” said Wash, remembering the summer afternoon she discovered the murders. “When I found him, his hands were bound and there was a pillowcase over his head. So I just told the neighbor girl that was with me that we've got to get out of here. We've got to go now, and I don't think either one of us hit but two steps going down the steps."

Wash's father was murdered alongside his new girlfriend Marlene Mazzola in his home just outside of town off Highway 312.

Some say they were strangled but detectives won't confirm.

"They had met a couple weeks, a month ago or so prior,” said Yellowstone County Sheriff Sgt. Dan Paris. “They went out to the Elks for a dance. And when they got home, I don't know if there was someone waiting for them or got there after, but they were murdered inside the home of one of the two victims."

Paris was just 7 years old when the victims died.

He is not the first, second, or third investigator to work this case.

"There's information that the original investigators have that maybe doesn't translate the same way as I read it on the paper or maybe doesn't make it on the paper at all,” said Paris. “And like I said, it may keep me from having preconceived notions, but some of it may be relevant information that I'm missing."

Heinrich was a divorced rancher and Mazzola, who was divorced as well, was an Avon saleswoman from Butte.

Both were well-liked, according to family and community members.

"I don't think that he had an enemy in the world so for what happened to him is still such a mystery for all his family and his friends," said Wash.

Several possible suspects have been weeded out but others may have already died.

"That's the trick is finding the people that were involved in it at that time, witnesses or some of the other people,” said Paris. “And with a case this old, a lot of those people aren't around anymore. There are some theories that take this outside of Montana."

And while Wash can't think of a single enemy, she does not believe it was a random attack.

Wash said she had recently sold a horse and the $700 cash on her dresser was left untouched.

The only things stolen were Heinrich's rings and a garden tool.

"There's somebody out there and someone knows something,” said Wash. “There's still a little hope left after all these years."

"I know for a fact that there are people in this community that do have info and I'd be happy to hear it,” said Paris. “And for the sake of the families in getting closure in this case - it's not just one family it's two families that have suffered with this for now 35 years to try and find a way to put their lives back together and get closure for them. Those people need to come forward. It's time."

The investigation and evidence collected from the murder scene immediately after the crime was committed, may not have solved the case then, but now, Paris is hopeful his most recent submissions to the state crime lab will answer the big question: who killed Heinrich and Mazzola?

Anyone with information about the murders is encouraged to contact detectives at the Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Office at (406) 254-7988.


www.ktvq.com/story/30082801/dna-testing-may-offer-lead-in-cold-case-murder-of-billings-couple


Thoughts? When I hear about how their hands were bound and Heinrich and Mazzola were possibly strangled, not to mention money being left untouched, it does make me wonder if perhaps it was some sick serial killer. It sort of fits the M.O. of BTK (another website wonders about the EAR/ONS killer), and Montana isn't far from Kansas. But I also figure perhaps there would have been a connection by now if that were the case. Really sad case, especially for a Heinrich's daughter to find the bodies. It's not easy for anyone to live with that trauma, let alone someone who was only a teenager at the time.

Admin Note: If you have any news-related updates on this case, please contact us here: amwfans.com/thread/1662/website-contact-form