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Show I I . Confession Note Solves Vernal Murder Mystery Slayer Of 17-Year Girl Kills Self, Explains Attack A two-week-old murder mystery involving the killing of 17 year-old year-old Norma Rodeback was solved last night when the body of the confessed sex killer was found on the hills west of Vernal. Carl Donnell Dow, 24, who usde a rifle to take his own life, had been the object of a search all day Wednesday. A sheriff's posse found his body between 6 and 7 p.m. He had been shot through the mouth. Dow, who was married and had two children his wife expecting a third left two notes before taking his own life, one saying he was going to commit suicide and the other confessing the murder. His body was found against a rocky ledge about two miles from where he had abandoned his car on the road to Lapoint. A 30 30 rifle was laying across his knee. A third note to Dow's wife and father was left at his home. It I expressed sorrow for what he had done and was going to do. The note telling of the crime gave no details as to how or why the crime was committed. It did tell how Dow strangled the Rodeback girl at the point where he accosted her. It did not make mention of the fact that he assaulted her. Sheriff Herbert M. Snyder said as far as he is concerned the case is closed. Members of the posse carried the body of Dow to the road where it was taken to the Vernal Mortuary. Residents Shocked Residents of Vernal showed shock and sorrow over the turn of events. Tired posse members were stopped and questioned about the suicide by curious citizens. Dow was picked up because he could not account for his actions the night of the murder and because be-cause of the similiarity between his car and the one reported to have been seen at the scene of the abduction. Investigating officers said they did not have sufficient evidence to hold him Tuesday night. Sheriff Sher-iff Snyder received a telephone call from Dow's father early on Wednesday morning saying his son had left home. A search 1 was immediately started by the posse and bloodhounds. blood-hounds. Road blocks were also set up and all roads in the vicinity vicin-ity were patrolled'. Funeral service's for Miss Rodeback Rode-back were conducted Thursday, June -21, in the Naples LDS ward chapel. Burial was in the Vernal cemetery. Notes From Confession Excerpts from the confession are: "I killed Norma Rodeback about 10:30 on the evening of June 13, 1956, midway between Main Street and Third South on Second West where the necklace was found she had on. In 45 minutes I had choked her to death and put her in the canal and made my way back home. "In my life (and please for God's sake let the public heai this), (underlined) there have been times when I showed definite tendencies to my fellow men of following the path to this end. I tried so hard to let doctors and policemen know that I did. not feel good inside but no one seemed to understand. I cannot and do (Continued on Back Page) VERNAL MURDER MYSTERY (Continued from Page 1) not blame anyone but myself for this. "This confession is true and I feel my judgement upon myself will be of no help to anyone." Signed Carl Donnell Dow |