The Unsolved Mysteries Case of Elmer DeBoer’s Murder: What Happened to Jerry Strickland?
By: Shane Lambert | Published: December 5th, 2020 | Updated: August 22, 2025
If you’re a fan of the classic Unsolved Mysteries series hosted by Robert Stack in the 1980s and 1990s, you may recall Episode 2 of Season 1. This episode opened with the brutal murder of Elmer DeBoer, allegedly committed by Jerry Strickland. Here’s a detailed look at this chilling true crime case and its resolution.
The Crime That Shocked a Community
In 1988, Elmer DeBoer was killed during a robbery, with Jerry Strickland named as the prime suspect. The case gained national attention through Unsolved Mysteries, which played a pivotal role in Strickland’s eventual arrest. For those curious about what happened next, here’s the full story.
Wed, Feb 19, 1992 – Page 22 · Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) · Newspapers.com
Missy Munday’s Testimony and Case Details
According to a Detroit Free Press article from August 17, 1988, Missy Munday, Strickland’s girlfriend at the time, testified against him, identifying him as DeBoer’s killer. Munday claimed Strickland confessed to the murder, which led to charges against her being dropped.
Wed, Aug 17, 1988 – Page 4 · Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) · Newspapers.com
Munday admitted to helping plan the robbery but insisted she was unaware of any intent to kill DeBoer. The plan targeted a Monday, when the safe would contain two days’ worth of revenue due to it not being emptied on Sunday.
Sentencing and Aftermath
A Detroit Free Press article from October 15, 1988, reported that Munday was sentenced to time at Oakland County Children’s Village for her role in the robbery. Meanwhile, Strickland received a life sentence for DeBoer’s murder and an additional life term for kidnapping. A February 19, 1992, Detroit Free Press article noted that Munday was released when she turned 19, while Strickland remained incarcerated.
As of 2025, Jerry Strickland is likely still in prison, serving his life sentence. A March 2020 article on Medium.com by Lisa Marie Fuqua included a recent photo of Strickland, credited to the Michigan Department of Corrections, depicting him as an older man.
Legacy of the Case
This case continues to captivate true crime enthusiasts and fans of Unsolved Mysteries. Other bloggers and writers, such as those at All That’s Interesting, have covered the case. The television show has earned praise for aiding authorities in solving this challenging case.
Keywords: Unsolved Mysteries, Elmer DeBoer, Jerry Strickland, Missy Munday, true crime, murder case, Detroit Free Press, Robert Stack
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