Author Archives: m.c. merrill

First posted September 9, 2009 Pathologist who studied the wounds on Tammy’s body determined and testified in court that Tammy didn’t die accidentally, but was deliberately killed at the hands of another.1 Out of all the suspects who could have potentially killed Tammy, only one would confess to this crime while Tammy was still missingContinue reading “STOOD UP SO THE STORY GOES”

First posted September 7, 2009 There was some early speculation by members of law enforcement that somebody had returned to the ravine between the interim of the disposal of Tammy’s body and its discovery to make it look like Tammy was raped and murdered in some sort of random, serial type of attack. How doContinue reading “ANOTHER LOOK AT THE RAVINE”

Originally posted September 6, 2009 According to the defense timeline, Tammy would make two appearances, one not long after leaving Eric Stukel’s house, the other the next day, at the homecoming parade. According to defense witness Jennifer Jones, Tammy would arrive at the Pump N Stuff gas station on 2nd and Walnut between 12:30 andContinue reading “SHE MIRACULOUSLY APPEARS?”

First posted September 4, 2009At Eric Stukel’s trial in September of 1996, witness-for-the-prosecution Tyler Mahoney testified that his friend Jamie Horacek had urinated in the open window of the passenger’s side of Eric Stukel’s car around 11:35 pm, just as he, Horacek, and a few others were leaving the Stephenson party.1 Stukel claims he leftContinue reading “A PRACTICAL JOKE GONE WRONG?”

First posted September 3, 2009 Forensic analysis would reveal extensive urine stains on the back of Tammy’s pants legs, as well as a secondary urine stain on the back of her underwear. Note well that the urine on Tammy’s pants and underwear would be of different blood and secretion types, meaning that the two urineContinue reading “THE EVIDENCE TRAIL”

First posted September 2nd, 2009 Tammy was last seen by reliable, multiple witnesses at about 11:15 pm on Sept. 17th 1992, at the Stephenson farm in northwest Nebraska.1,2 At about this time, Tammy was getting ready to go back to Yankton with Eric Stukel, who claims he took her back to his parents’ house.3 NearlyContinue reading “A WRINKLE IN TIME”

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 foundContinue reading “THE THREE FIBERS”

For those interested in primary sources regarding this case, I would point you to the Yankton Press and Dakotan, whose coverage was the most in depth. This website is not a primary source. In other words, as I have been saying since 2005, do not take my word for it. Experts testified. The press reported.Continue reading “PRIMARY SOURCES”

First posted on August 28, 2009 On September 17th, 1992, Tammy Haas went to a Yankton High School homecoming party on a Cedar County, Nebraska farm owned by the Stephenson family of Yankton, SD, located eight miles southwest of Yankton, South Dakota. In attendance with her was Eric Stukel. They had ridden together in hisContinue reading “THE PATHOLOGISTS CALL IT MURDER”

First posted August 21st, 2009 On September 17th, 1992, Tammy Haas went to a Yankton High School homecoming party on a Cedar County, Nebraska farm owned by the Stephenson family of Yankton, South Dakota, located eight miles southwest of Yankton, SD.1 In attendance with Tammy was Eric Stukel. They had ridden together in his silverContinue reading “OPPORTUNITY”