Debra Lynn Dusing:Fort Wayne

 

Debra Lynn Dusing

   Debra Lynn Dusing was born on October 7, 1956 to Dale and Juanita Dusing. She had a sister Cathy Lou Dusing. The Dusing family lived in Ft. Wayne. 

  In 1973 Debra had just had a birthday and turned 17 when she was brutally murdered and left in a field a few miles south of Fort Wayne. She was found October 30th 1973. 

   She was found fully clothed in a field on Hartzell Road by Kenneth Niemeyer. Just as in other cases Kenneth was a farmer and it was time to harvest the corn. There should be a support group for farmers who have found bodies that way.  

   Debra had not been dead long when she was found. She was only gone overnight.  She was found on a Sunday.  Had she gone out with friends or on a date the night before? Who was the last person to see her alive? 

   I could only find one newspaper article about her body being found and one about her murder.  I also found her death certificate. There are some discrepancies. 

   According to the newspaper article she was shot with a small caliber weapon and stabbed in the chest. According to her death certificate she was killed by “multiple stab wounds by an unknown assailant”. The death certificate does not mention any gunshot wounds. Perhaps there is an autopsy report that is more detailed.

   A knife blade without a handle was found at the site where her body was found.  Investigators said that Debra had likely been killed elsewhere and her body dragged into the field. Investigators stated that they did not think she had been sexually assaulted because she was dressed.  

   Did her killer leave any DNA behind? Did he cut himself while stabbing her?  Could his DNA be on her clothes?

   I wonder if she was killed in a car by a date. I wonder if the killer had to do a great deal of cleaning up.  Maybe someone remembers something along those lines.  Maybe there is someone out there who saw something that seemed odd at the time but now it seems ominous. 

   If the killer was someone her own age…maybe they talked at some point. Maybe they bragged about it.  Maybe they threatened someone else in that way. Perhaps there’s someone out there who doesn’t feel like keeping a secret anymore. 

   A seven inch knife blade with no handle was found at the scene. Did they save it?  Can it be tested? 

   If Debra had lived she would be 68.  She would be retired and probably enjoying her grandchildren.  But she isn’t here. She didn’t get to go to her prom.  She didn’t get to enjoy her graduation. She didn’t get to grow up and experience life. 

   Her mother, Juanita, had to be the one to identify her.  Imagine that for a second. 

   Someone knows what happened in late October in Fort Wayne in 1973.  Hopefully they come forward with more information. 

   I also think they should look at Danny Rouse for this.  He was not far away.  He is a known serial killer and is cutter incarcerated for life in Indiana.  His DNA should be in CODIS. 

   Debra’s parents both passed away without knowing who killed their daughter.  Debra had a sister named Cathy. I’m sure she would like to see Justice done for her sister. 

Rest in peace Debra.    

    

   

   


   



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