Marvin Irvin’s bedside table. Tests showed the claw hammer on the table was the weapon used to kill Patricia Rose and Crystal Simmons.
of Micki Jo’s disappearance was in town. This was the woman Irvin’s Iowa wife had named as having a part in disposing of Micki Jo’s body. Schweder had never been able to find her. She was in St. Joseph for the holiday and was leaving soon. Two detectives were sent to bring her in. They missed her by minutes but got her address. Schweder and another detective followed her 600 miles to Colorado. She agreed to talk after an offer of immunity from prosecution. The old girlfriend recounted a chilling tale. Marvin Irvin came to her house early one morning. He was excited, scared and needed help. He told her he killed Micki Jo and the body was in the car. She agreed to help because she was afraid. They left St. Joseph and drove across the Missouri River bridge toward White Cloud, Kan. As they crossed the bridge, she thought — or maybe imagined — the wrapped-up body said, “Help me.” She was never sure. They arrived at a cornfield. The old girlfriend graphically described helping carry the body, her legs so weak from fear she was barely able to walk. Before he completed the burial, Irvin got his shotgun and fired twice into the body, just to be sure. “A jury would have hated her,” Schweder said, “but they would have believed every word she said.” Based on that evidence, Marvin Irvin was charged with the kidnapping and murder of Micki Jo West. In the fall of 1991, Schweder received a late night call at home from his chief. He was told to report at 6 a.m. for a special detail. Marvin Irvin had made a deal. He agreed to plead guilty to escape the death penalty. He was required to show the police where Micki Jo West was as part of that deal. Irvin was taken to the cornfield. He indicated Micki
Jo was buried in the area where Patricia Rose was found. Schweder felt he was not sincere and enjoyed leading the sheriff, police chief and prosecutor on a wild goose chase. That same afternoon in a packed courtroom, Marvin Irvin pleaded guilty to three counts of first degree murder, including Micki Jo West. Irvin’s comments at sentencing showed no remorse, and even blamed the victims. Schweder was appalled. But at least it was over. Irvin was immediately sentenced to
three life terms without parole, plus 100 years on each count. One last massive search took place for Micki Jo West. Officers spent three days in that cornfield, digging up an area the size of two football fields, down to a depth of six feet, finding nothing. Schweder knew she wasn’t there. He believed that Irvin was afraid Micki Jo’s body might turn up so he moved her more than once. He is the only person who knows where she is and he is not talking.
The final search for Micki Jo West’s body during excavation of the corn field. CONNECTION MAGAZINE | 59