First posted September 1, 2009

Three pieces of physical evidence would become critical to linking Eric Stukel directly to Tammy’s death. Several hair fibers matching Tammy’s hair type would be found in the trunk of Eric Stukel’s Chevy Beretta. These hairs arguably could have gotten there many different ways. However, on Tammy’s clothing were found two types of synthetic fiber.^2,3,4

One set of fibers matched the floor mat of Eric Stukel’s trunk. These, according to forensic investigators Dr. Reena Roy and Michael Autem, both with the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, could only have gotten onto Tammy’s clothing through direct transfer—indicating that somebody had placed Tammy’s body in Eric Stukel’s trunk.^2,3,4

Also on Tammy’s clothing were several pieces of an unknown red plastic. Investigators found identical pieces of this same plastic inside the trunk of Eric Stukel’s car, again indicating some sort of direct transfer of these fibers from Stukel’s trunk to Tammy’s clothing or vice versa.^2,3,4

Clearly, this forensic evidence is not enough to prove Eric Stukel killed Tammy Haas, but it does indicate that Tammy’s body had been in the trunk of Stukel’s Chevy Beretta.

Anybody who knows their way around a Chevy Beretta would attest that few people would willingly get inside a trunk space so small; therefore, one can reasonably assume one of three things:

a.) Tammy was placed in the trunk against her will;
b.) Tammy was unconscious or physically incapacitated when she was placed in the trunk;
c.) Tammy was placed in the trunk within a short time after her death.

Understanding the geography of the area where a golfer discovered Tammy’s body might be imperative to understanding why Tammy ended up in Eric Stukel’s trunk in the first place.

The Stephenson farmhouse (the site of a homecoming party on homecoming eve) was the last place multiple witnesses saw Tammy alive.⁵

This farmhouse is located at the T intersection of two gravel roads surrounded by private farmland. The nearest paved public road, Nebraska Highway 121, sits west of the Stephenson farm and moves south toward Crofton, NE.

This intersection remains the nearest route for getting away from the Stephenson farmhouse while avoiding populated areas like Atens Marina and Murdo’s restaurant.

Atens and Murdo’s sit at an intersection on Highway 121, northeast of the Stephenson farm. This is the most direct route partygoers would take to get back and forth from Yankton to the Stephenson farm.

The ravine on Nebraska County Highway 121 to the west, in which Tammy’s body was discovered, remains the nearest public wooded place from the Stephenson farm. The road here is dark, remote, and relatively untraveled.

If somebody was panicking and wanted to rid themselves of a body quickly and disconnect events at the Stephenson farm, this would be the nearest place to do so.

But… Tammy’s body had to be moved from the location where she died, most likely at or near that Stephenson farm, to the location where she was found nearly a week later.

Eric Stukel has claimed that the reason Tammy’s hairs were in his trunk was because of a beach blanket that they had used at some point in the preceding days. According to his testimony, he had stowed the blanket in the trunk and Tammy’s hairs must have followed. ⁶

Again, according to the testimony of Roy and Autem, the two synthetic fibers found in the trunk and on Tammy’s person transferred via direct contact.⁴

The blanket story, compelling on the surface, does not quite explain enough. More likely, Stukel and/or conspirators transported Tammy’s body in Stukel’s trunk from the place of her death at or near the Stephenson farm to the ravine on Highway 121.

Many want to believe that Tammy died as the result of some freak accident. If this is the case, why would her body need to be stuffed in a trunk and tossed in a ravine?

Why, after three decades, has nobody come forward to explain the supposed freak accident?

The explanation may be simple: the evidence points to homicide.

Works Cited

1. O’Neill, Colleen. “Haas was in car trunk before ditch.”  Yankton Press and Dakotan. Jan. 11, 1993

2. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Testimony Begins in Stukel Trial.”  Yankton Press and Dakotan, Sept. 27, 1996

3. Rothanzl, Lorna. “More Evidence Offered In Stukel Trial.”  Yankton Press and Dakotan, Sept. 28, 1996

4. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Experts Testify in Stukel Trial: Medical Examiner Says Death Not From Fall.” Yankton Press and Dakotan. Oct. 1, 1996

5. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Friends Testify at Stukel Trial.” Yankton Press and Dakotan. Oct. 2, 1996

6. Rothanzl, Lorna. “Stukel Takes Stand: Prosecution Rests, Stukel Denies Knowledge Of Death.”  Yankton Press and Dakotan, Oct. 3, 1996