Iowa Department of Public Safety
Eugene T. Meyer, Commissioner
215 East 7th Street
Des Moines, Iowa 50319
Telephone Number: (515) 725-6182
Facsimile Number: (515) 725-6195

ARRESTS MADE IN LAMONI FIRE INVESTIGATION

Point of Contact:
Lisa Jeanes, Decatur County Attorney
(641) 446-3773

Lamoni, IOWA --- On October 18, 2008, at 2:08 a.m., fire fighters were called to a residential fire at 221 South Silver Street in Lamoni, Iowa.  The owners of the property were identified as Steven and Susan Slycord.  Fire fighters from Lamoni, Davis City, and Leon, as well as law enforcement responded to the scene.  Upon extinguishment of the fire, a body was discovered inside the residence which was later identified as 72 year old Donald Royce Reed of Shannon City.

On June 30, 2009, the following individuals were arrested and charged with first degree arson in connection with this investigation:

Steven Wayne Slycord, 49 years old

Susan Gaylea Slycord, 45 years old

Donna Lee Tapscott,  73 years old

The case remains under investigation and anyone with additional information is urged to contact the Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 323-4360.  The Lamoni Police Department and the State Fire Marshal’s Office are assisting in the investigation.

It should be noted a criminal charge is merely an accusation and a defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty in a court of law.

To enroll in the DPS E-mail Notification system simply log on to https://dpsemailnotify.iowa.gov and follow the instructions to enroll as a new user.