Missouri Detectives May Have Just Solved a 35 Year Old Cold Case

For the first time in 35 years, there are now charges which have been filed against a suspect in connection with a cold case that had gone unsolved for decades in Missouri.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol just issued a press release today detailing how a 35-year-old cold case now has a suspect. The mystery began on October 14, 1989, when Jimmie Wade Martin was found mortally wounded in Bonne Terre, Missouri. He died later at a hospital in Farmington, Missouri and his death has remained unsolved for the past few decades.

Now, the Missouri State Highway Patrol has made an arrest. On August 30, they arrested Wesley P. Marler, 69, of Bonne Terre, Missouri who is now charged with one count of assault in the first degree.

This charge is a result of a renewed investigation by Missouri State Highway Patrol’s Division of Drug and Crime Control, along with the St. Francois Sheriff’s Office that reportedly began late in 2020. They presented their case to St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney and the Missouri Attorney General’s Office leading to the charges.

The arrest of Wesley P. Marler, 69, of Bonne Terre, Missouri was done by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the St. Francois County Sheriff’s Office.

Marler is reportedly being held in the St. Francois County Jail on a $500,000 bond.