Hazel Juanita Hanna and Cynthia Lorraine Bell were found murdered in a cedar grove near Humansville, Missouri, in 1976.
There is not much information online. Many articles have been moved behind paywalls and links have been broken. This post has been adjusted with information that can still be found online.
Case Overview
On Aug 10, 1976, Helen and Frank Whitlock found the decomposed bodies of Hazel Juanita Hanna and Cynthia Lorraine Bell on her farm.
The girls’ hands were tied, they were partly undressed, gagged, and both were shot in their heads. Hazel was 15 years old. Cynthia was 16 years old.
Their bodies were found in dense underbrush near the Cedar-Polk county line.
The Crime
Helen Whitlock told police that on the evening of Aug 4, around 1015pm, she was cleaning up in her home, near Humansville, off Mo. 123, Missouri. She was sure about the time because the television was on. The weather forecast called for storms the next day. She heard four gunshots within about 30-60 seconds. Her husband, Frank, was outside tending to the cows. He was just moving his trucks when in the distance, he heard a girl laugh. Then about 15 minutes later, he heard gunshots. He also heard four shots but places the time frame closer to 1-2 minutes.
Frank finished his chores. Then he took his shotgun and got into his truck. He drove around his farm and saw a car parked in a hayfield in a brushy area near his gate. It is in this area that later Hazel and Cynthia were found dead. When he saw the car he thought it was just another groups of partying teens as the area was known for that. He continued driving and later returned to that spot. The car was gone.
The driver may have seen the farmer and when he drove on, quickly left. Frank and Helen only went back to that spot on Aug 10 (six days later) because neighbors were complaining about a foul smell. By that time, the crime scene had altered due to weather, animals, etc.
The Victims
Hazel Juanita Hanna (Feb 24, 1961 – Aug 5, 1976) and Cynthia Lorraine Bell (April 25, 1960 – Aug 5, 1976) had been placed in foster care about three weeks before they disappeared.
They were reported missing on July 20, found, placed in another foster home, and then reported missing again on July 31. This information comes from the Kansas City Star of Aug 12, 1976.
The Investigation
Law enforcement found dragging signs meaning the girls were not killed where they were found. Both had their hands tied. One in front of her, the other behind her. The papers give no further details. Each had been shot in their heads. Cynthia had been shot twice, Hazel had been shot once. One of them had an arm broken but the paper does not give any other details.
The Springfield News-Leader from Aug 12, 1976 printed that one of the girls had her hands tied “in front by a leather belt with a large metal buckle.” If preserved that buckle should be circulated in the media to see if anyone recognizes it and of course, be tested to see if any touch DNA can be lifted from it.
The same paper noted that then Polk County Coroner Sidney J. Pitts said that police “found five shell casings and one .25 caliber slug at the scene.” Both girls were identified by dental records and information about personal belongings. No murder weapons were found at the scene. In the Kansas City Times from Aug 12, 1976 then Polk County Sheriff Glen Carson said the bullets may have been from a handgun. They did find a hunting knife at the scene but it may be unrelated to the case. The girl were not stabbed.
Contact information
If you have any information about this case please contact the Polk County Sheriff’s Office at (417) 777-9020.
Rest in peace, Hazel Juanita Hanna and Cynthia Lorraine Bell.