South Dakota's Mathis Murders: Horror in the Heartland

by Noel Hamiel

South Dakota's Mathis Family Murders brought death and deception to the heartland.
It was perhaps the most infamous murder case in state history. Ladonna Mathis was shot twice in the head at point-blank range inside the family's metal shed serving as their makeshift home. Two of her three children, ages 2 and 4, were also shot in the head. The brutality of the killings shocked the state and set off a frenzy of law enforcement activity. Despite its intensity, the investigation never found the murderer or the murder weapon. Though charged with the crime, the husband was acquitted, leaving the door open for endless speculation about what really occurred on that late summer morning of Sept. 8, 1981.
With renewed insight from those involved, veteran South Dakota journalist Noel Hamiel explores this cold case of murder and mystery that still haunts the Mount Rushmore state.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

130 pages, Kindle Edition

Published April 25, 2022

Reviews

[Amy Lepke · Rating 3 out of 5]

I learned some things I didn't previously know. Growing up near where this happened but being too young to know the whole story, I was very interested in learning more about it.

[Rochelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting true crime cold case. I was too young to remember it, but it took place just 10 miles from my home town. Many of the law enforcement named in the book I remember or know who they are.

[Connie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I vividly remember this murder case & picked up this book to read more about it. My husband was friends with Judge Tom Anderst for many years. It was interesting to read about the details of the story. But the book, even though it was short, was very drawn out. The author sang praises for the lawyers in this case over & over until you wanted to just say “get over it”! They were good lawyers but the book drug that part out way too long.

[Sidney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gruesome unsolved triple murder in Mount Vernon, SD. I was a senior in high school when this happened and I remember a teacher stopped everything and started talking about this case including drawing diagrams and case points on the chalkboard. Interesting then, and now, however the book could have been written better. Lots of repeated information.

[A J Hardin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one was a snooze fest. To me it was an open and shut case. The father did it and the State couldn’t prove it. I suspect if it would have happened now, the science and investigation would have been more equip to properly prove it.

I liked that it was a quick read (116 pages) and it took place very near where I live, which is why I picked it up.
Overall, I don’t recommend.

[Kady · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very repetitive, but at least it was short

[Dan Kohlmeyer · Rating 2 out of 5]

It was a lot of repeat, nothing really new happened after the first quarter of the book. There really isn’t a ending to this book

[Jeffrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was written more as like a documentary than a historical non fiction than you see developed recently.

[Jessi Bucholz · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was not impressed by lack of current interviews to make this more interesting to read and get better insight. Pretty much just a compilation of newspaper articles and some court proceedings.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

The family is related to a friend of mine so I picked it up. Love to learn more about stuff happening in my state!!Interesting story, but the writing is not that great...

[Steve White · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mother and her two young sons murdered on their farm and her husband walks away innocent.

As a South Dakotan I was interested to read about a case I was unaware of.

Unfortunately I learned all I needed to know in the first few chapters. Once the basic details were laid out, the books proceeds in a linear fashion through the trial and comes to no real conclusion.

There was some original reporting that sheds some light on things so I’ll will give the author credit for that.

I had hoped the story would weave together threads about the ‘80s farm crisis and the zeitgeist of rural America at that time but while that’s hinted it, it doesn’t go anywhere. Nor does the author add his own insight. Does he think the guy did it?

What we get is a by the numbers retelling of an infamous murder in rural America. It’s an interesting slice of history but if you want new insight into what could drive a man to murder or what the mood in rural South Dakota was in the early ‘80s… you won’t find that here. But if you want a quick true crime novel in a rural setting, you can finish this in no time.

[Breann L · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't understand that with all the new technology since 1981 they didn't feel it was worth trying to take a new look at this murder. A huge part of me wonders how Duane doesn't want to know the truth to what happened to his mother and brothers. Even if you feel 100% certain that your father is innocent I would still want to know.

[Tanya Bjerke · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting history of the murder in South Dakota I had never heard of. It was a quick read. It would have been nice if the author had written more suspense into, instead of giving away things before they were needed but still an interesting read.

[Bernie Ideker · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book did a good job of describing the murder scene as well as background of all the people involved. The background of the judge, prosecutors, defense, & jurist were interesting. Upon completion of reading the book, it is understandable why jury deliberation took so long.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 4 out of 5]

An nteresting read. I've lived in South Dakota but never heard of this cold case before. The book was written well, the details were there.

[Jeannie Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

grisley but informative. I never heard of this case before now.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

8.5 - 8.75

[Maddie Rae]

Kinda cool to read about my Grandpa Wally’s biggest case.

[Emma Klaas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Local murders. It makes you think.

[Jolene Buehrer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written and well researched story of the triple murder of a mother and her two children that took place in rural South Dakota. Very detailed and accurate--I was living in South Dakota when this occurred and the trial took place in my town. The author, Noel Hamiel, does a superb job of describing the crime and its aftermath. I recommend this book highly.

[Beth Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

This murder happened near the town I grew up in . The book was put together and researched well. Still the book can’t give us the conclusive end in which someone pays for this horrific crime. With all the true crime investigations on television it would be interesting to see someone look into it . But as I believe The prosecutor said when the South Dakota Cold Case unit was created …
It seems it would be a waste of resources.

[Emily Carlson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Was interesting just because it was interesting to read about a local crime, but otherwise was pretty boring and repetitive.

[Kooper Moody · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was an eye-opening read into the dark facts of the mysterious slaying.