The Corn Rake Murder: How Todd Mullis Killed His Wife Amy on Their Iowa Farm
Amy Mullis was a vibrant member of her small farming community in Iowa—a 39-year-old mother of three known for her bubbly personality and nursing career. On November 10, 2018, this seemingly idyllic rural life shattered when Amy was found face-down in a red shed on the family hog farm with a corn rake protruding from her back. Her husband Todd claimed it was a tragic accident, but investigators quickly grew suspicious.
What initially appeared to be a freak farm accident soon revealed a darker story. Medical examiner Dr. Kelly Cruz discovered six puncture wounds despite the corn rake having only four tines, mathematically impossible from a single fall. As authorities investigated further, they uncovered a troubled marriage marked by past infidelity, controlling behavior, and Amy's growing unhappiness. By September 2019, Todd Mullis found himself on trial for first-degree murder in a case that would shock their small Iowa community to its core.
Key Takeaways
Amy Mullis's death on her family farm, initially reported as an accident, was determined to be murder after medical examiners found evidence of multiple corn rake strikes.
The investigation revealed a troubled marriage with Todd allegedly controlling Amy's movements, friendships, and work life following her earlier infidelity.
The small rural community was shocked when Todd Mullis, viewed as a hardworking farmer and devoted father, was put on trial for the first-degree murder of his wife.
The Farm Incident
Initial Response and Findings
On November 10, 2018, a tragedy occurred at a rural farm in Earlville, Iowa, shaking the small community to its core. Amy Mullis, a 39-year-old mother of three, was found fatally injured in a red shed on the family's hog farm. She was discovered face down with a corn rake—a heavy-duty farm tool with sharp prongs—protruding from her back. Her 13-year-old son Tristan made the initial discovery, which would lead to an investigation that uncovered far more than an agricultural accident.
The incident shocked the tight-knit farming community where everyone knew each other. Amy, described by those who knew her as bubbly and outgoing, had formerly worked as a nurse at the local hospital before transitioning to work full-time on the farm with her husband Todd.
The Emergency Call
Todd Mullis placed a frantic 911 call after his son alerted him to Amy's condition. During the call, Todd appeared distressed and confused about what had happened. He told the dispatcher, "I don't know if she fell" and mentioned finding her "halfway out the door" with the corn rake in her back. The initial explanation provided was that Amy had somehow fallen onto the farm tool in a tragic accident.
The 911 recording captured Todd's panicked voice as he described the situation. He explained that after his son yelled for him, he ran over to find Amy seriously injured with the corn rake embedded in her back. His confusion and urgency were evident as he sought emergency assistance for his wife.
Medical Transport and Resuscitation Attempts
Rather than waiting for emergency personnel, Todd decided to transport Amy to the hospital himself. Amy was placed in their truck, sitting on her son Tristan's lap, while Todd drove toward the hospital. During the journey, Todd repeatedly called Amy's name, trying to get a response from her, but she remained unresponsive throughout the trip.
Following the dispatcher's instructions, Todd pulled over to attempt resuscitation. The 911 operator asked if he felt comfortable performing CPR, to which Todd responded he would "try anything" to help his wife. He attempted to lay Amy flat on the seat and began chest compressions, desperately trying to revive her.
"Come on, Amy," he urged repeatedly during the resuscitation attempt, but Amy never regained consciousness. Despite these efforts, she was pronounced dead shortly after arriving at the hospital in Manchester, Iowa—the same hospital where she had once worked as a nurse.
Victim Profile
Amy Mullis: A Community's Light
Amy Mullis was a vibrant 39-year-old woman known throughout her small farming community for her bubbly, outgoing personality. As a mother of three children—Tristan, Taylor, and Wyatt—she balanced family responsibilities with her previous career as a nurse at the Manchester, Iowa hospital emergency department.
Her presence was felt throughout the tight-knit town of Earlville, where everyone knew each other. Amy's warmth and friendly nature made her a beloved figure among neighbors and colleagues alike. Before working on the family's hog farm, she served her community as a dedicated healthcare professional.
The sudden news of Amy's death on November 10, 2018, sent shockwaves through the community. Found face-down in a red shed on the family property with a corn rake embedded in her back, her passing transformed from what was initially reported as a tragic accident into something far more sinister.
Amy's personal life contained complexities hidden beneath her cheerful exterior. Friends described how she felt increasingly restricted in her marriage, comparing her situation to being "a prisoner." She reportedly operated under strict rules about approved friendships and had her movements closely monitored, including being timed when leaving and returning home.
Despite these private struggles, Amy remained dedicated to her children. Her sudden death left a painful void for her family, friends, and the entire community who had come to rely on her presence and care.
Evidence and Red Flags
Questionable Accident Scenario
The official story initially presented by Todd Mullis about his wife Amy's death raised immediate concerns among investigators. According to Todd, Amy had somehow fallen onto a corn rake in the family's red shed on their farm in Earlville, Iowa. However, medical professionals quickly identified significant problems with this explanation. The corn rake in question had four prongs, yet Amy's body displayed six distinct puncture wounds. This mathematical inconsistency became the first major indicator that something wasn't right with the accident narrative.
The physical properties of the corn rake itself contradicted the accident theory. Unlike garden rakes designed for leaves, farm corn rakes are heavy-duty implements with sharp, dangerous tines that farmers handle with great care. The likelihood of accidentally falling onto such a tool in a way that would create multiple sets of wounds stretches credibility.
Medical Evidence and Examination Results
Dr. Kelly Cruz, the forensic pathologist who conducted Amy's autopsy, discovered compelling evidence of homicide rather than accident. The six wounds in Amy's back appeared in two different directional patterns, indicating the rake had been thrust into her body at least twice and possibly three separate times. This finding fundamentally contradicted any accidental scenario.
Beyond the puncture wounds, Dr. Cruz documented additional concerning injuries:
Abrasions on Amy's upper lip
Blunt force trauma to her face
Defensive injuries on her hands and knees
These supplementary injuries suggested Amy had been involved in a physical struggle before her death, providing further evidence against the accident theory proposed by Todd.
Crime Scene Inspection
When Deputy Travis Hemath initially investigated the red shed where Amy's body was found, he documented minimal physical evidence. He observed just a few drops of blood on the floor where Amy had been positioned. Despite a thorough examination of the equipment and surrounding area, investigators found no evidence supporting Todd's theory that Amy had fallen and impaled herself elsewhere in the shed.
The lack of blood spatter was particularly noteworthy. For a violent incident involving multiple stabbings with a large farm implement, investigators would typically expect to find blood evidence on the chemical containers, shed walls, and other nearby surfaces. This absence of expected evidence raised serious questions about what actually occurred in that shed.
Marriage Difficulties and Controlling Behavior
Amy and Todd's marriage had been troubled for years following Amy's affair five years before her death. Though they attempted reconciliation through counseling, the relationship dynamics changed dramatically. Amy told close friends like Patricia Sters that she hadn't been happy in her marriage for many years.
Todd imposed strict control measures after the affair:
Forced career change: Amy had to quit her hospital nursing job to work on the family farm
Restricted social circle: Friends described an "approved friend list" of people Amy was permitted to see
Constant monitoring: Amy was timed when leaving home and had to account for her whereabouts
One friend, Terry Stainer, recalled that Amy described herself as "a prisoner of Todd," highlighting the controlling nature of their relationship. Despite this troubling dynamic, Todd presented a completely different picture to investigators, telling Special Agent John Turbet that their marriage was "pretty good" with "great communication."
Suspicions and Evidence
Inconsistencies in the Accident Theory
The explanation of Amy's death as an accidental fall onto a corn rake quickly unraveled under scrutiny. Medical professionals immediately noticed a critical mathematical impossibility - Amy had six puncture wounds despite the corn rake having only four tines. This simple discrepancy formed the foundation for further investigation.
Dr. Craig Thompson, the medical director of emergency services who examined Amy at the hospital, stated plainly: "The math doesn't add up." As a medical examiner, he recognized that it was physically impossible for a single impact with a four-pronged tool to create six distinct wounds.
The corn rake itself posed additional questions. Unlike lightweight garden tools, this implement was heavy, with sharp, dangerous prongs that farmers handle with extreme caution. The likelihood of accidentally falling onto such a tool in a manner creating multiple wound patterns defied practical farming experience.
Autopsy and Forensic Analysis
Dr. Kelly Cruz's forensic examination revealed compelling evidence of homicide. The six puncture wounds on Amy's back appeared in two different directional patterns, indicating the rake had been thrust into her body at minimum twice and possibly three times - definitively ruling out a single accidental fall.
Additional injuries documented during the autopsy included:
Facial abrasions, particularly on her upper lip
Blunt force trauma indicators
Defensive wounds on both hands and knees
These secondary injuries painted a picture not of an accident but of a violent confrontation. The defensive wounds particularly suggested Amy had tried to protect herself during an attack, contradicting any accidental death scenario.
Initial Findings at The Red Shed
When law enforcement arrived at the scene, Deputy Travis Hemath conducted the preliminary investigation of the red shed where Amy's body was discovered by her 13-year-old son Tristan. His findings were notably sparse - just a few drops of blood on the floor where Amy had been positioned.
Despite thorough examination of the equipment and surrounding areas, investigators found:
No blood spatter on chemical containers
No blood traces on shed walls
No evidence supporting a fall elsewhere in the shed
The Delaware County Sheriff's Department, having limited homicide experience, requested assistance from Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation. The forensic inconsistencies prompted a deeper look into the circumstances surrounding Amy's death.
Marital Turmoil and Control Issues
Following Amy's affair five years earlier, the Mullis marriage underwent dramatic changes. While they attempted reconciliation through counseling, Todd imposed severe restrictions on Amy's independence. Friends described a troubling pattern of control:
Amy was forced to leave her nursing career at the hospital
She was permitted to interact only with an "approved friend list"
Her movements were timed and monitored constantly
To her friend Patricia Sters, Amy confided she "wasn't happy in her marriage and hadn't been for many years." Another friend, Terry Stainer, recalled Amy describing herself as "a prisoner of Todd."
Despite these documented issues, Todd portrayed their relationship very differently to investigators. When questioned by Special Agent John Turbet, Todd described their marriage as "pretty good" with "great communication," claiming they were "together all the time" - statements that directly contradicted accounts from Amy's closest confidants.
The Case Proceeds
Courtroom Dynamics
The prosecution and defense presented starkly different narratives in the 2019 trial of Todd Mullis. Prosecutor Maureen Hughes portrayed Todd as a controlling husband who viciously murdered his 39-year-old wife Amy, a mother of three young children. The courtroom in Delaware County was filled with family and friends as Hughes described how Amy's life was "viciously taken" on November 10, 2018.
Defense attorney Gerald Firal acknowledged Amy's death was indeed murder but insisted Todd wasn't responsible. "There's reasonable doubt about Mr. Mullis's guilt," Firal argued, claiming Todd lacked the opportunity to commit the crime. The trial, broadcast on Court TV, highlighted the division between those who saw Todd as a devoted father and those who suspected him of murder.
Expert Perspectives
Medical testimony proved crucial to the case. Dr. Craig Thompson, who was on duty when Amy arrived at the Manchester hospital where she once worked as a nurse, immediately questioned the "freak accident" explanation. "Six puncture wounds from a four-pronged corn rake - the math doesn't add up," he testified.
Dr. Kelly Cruz, the forensic pathologist who performed the autopsy, identified:
Six puncture wounds in two different directions
Blunt force injuries to Amy's face, hands, and knees
Evidence suggesting at least two, possibly three separate strikes with the rake
These findings contradicted Todd's claim that Amy accidentally fell onto the farm implement. As Dr. Cruz testified, the multiple impact directions indicated deliberate action rather than a single fall.
Evidence Collection Concerns
The initial investigation showed potential limitations. Deputy Travis Hemath described finding only "a couple drops of blood" at the red shed where Amy's body was discovered by her 13-year-old son Tristan. Some legal analysts questioned whether this indicated a proper murder scene.
Legal experts Daniel and Dina Nwat noted: "If someone stabbed Amy three times, you'd expect blood drops on the chemical totes, shed walls, a suspect, and on Amy herself." The Delaware County Sheriff's Department, having investigated only four homicides in the past decade, requested assistance from Iowa's Division of Criminal Investigation to ensure thoroughness.
Marriage Under Scrutiny
The investigation revealed significant marital problems. Amy had an affair five years earlier, which Todd described as having "crushed the foundation of their marriage." While they attempted reconciliation through counseling, the terms appeared one-sided. Amy left her hospital job to work on the farm, which Todd described as mutual agreement.
Friends painted a different picture. Patricia Sters testified Amy "wasn't happy in her marriage and hadn't been for many years." Amy reportedly told friend Terry Stainer she felt "like a prisoner" with:
An "approved friend list" limiting her social contacts
Strict timing when she left home and returned
Continuous monitoring of her activities
Todd's description of their relationship to investigator John Turbet contradicted these accounts. "Pretty good actually... communication was great and we were together all the time," he claimed. This disconnect between private reality and public presentation became a central focus for jurors evaluating the case.
Aftermath and Legal Proceedings
Todd Mullis's trial for the first-degree murder of his wife Amy began in September 2019, nearly a year after her death. The Delaware County Courthouse filled with family and friends as prosecutor Meen Hughes presented the state's case, arguing that Todd had "viciously taken" Amy's life on November 10, 2018.
The prosecution built their case on several key pieces of evidence. Dr. Craig Thompson, the medical director of emergency services who examined Amy, found it mathematically impossible for a single impact with a four-pronged corn rake to cause the six puncture wounds discovered on her back. This assessment was confirmed by Dr. Kelly Cruz, a forensic pathologist, who determined Amy had been impaled at least twice, possibly three times.
Additional evidence included blunt force injuries to Amy's face, hands, and knees, suggesting a struggle had occurred. The prosecution portrayed Todd as a controlling husband who never fully trusted Amy after her affair five years earlier. Friends testified that Amy felt like a "prisoner" with restricted friendships and timed outings.
The defense, led by attorney Gerald Firel, acknowledged Amy had been murdered but claimed Todd couldn't have committed the crime due to lack of opportunity. They questioned the thoroughness of the initial investigation, pointing to minimal blood evidence at the scene.
While Todd described their marriage as "pretty tight" with "great communication" during police interviews, Amy's friends painted a different picture. According to their testimony, Amy had been unhappy for years and felt trapped in her marriage after being forced to quit her nursing job to work on the family farm—a condition Todd imposed after her affair.
The small farming community of Earlville, Iowa was deeply shaken by this case. Amy, a 39-year-old mother of three, had been well-known and liked throughout the area, making her brutal death all the more shocking for local residents.
