Renewed call for justice in 1980 cold-case murder at St. Louis County Dairy Queen
ELLISVILLE, Mo. - Officials are renewing a call for justice in a long-unsolved cold-case murder at a St. Louis County Dairy Queen.
The Ellisville Police Department is leading the investigation into the death of Margaret “Marge” Marie Walsh on April 24, 1980.
Walsh was 47 years old, a resident of Ballwin, and a part-time night manager at a Dairy Queen in Ellisville when she was found deceased, police say.
The Ellisville Police Department reports that Walsh was shot in an office area of the store, which has been ransacked and had a small amount of money missing. Police learned of Walsh's death after an early-morning call from the Dairy Queen's former owner.
Walsh left behind three children, ages 16, 18 and 21. She had also served as a secretary at Parkway South Middle School.
The St. Louis Area Major Case Squad was immediately called in to conduct an investigation. After following numerous leads to no avail, the Major Case Squad returned the case to the Ellisville Police Department to continue the investigation.
The case was reopened several times over the years, most recently in 1991 and 2006, and the Ellisville Police says an "active investigation" remains ongoing.
Ellisville Police Chief Steven Lewis and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Melissa Price Smith are expected to hold a press conference next week to discuss developments in the case. The press conference is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday at the Ellisville City Council Chambers.
Anyone with relevant information to this case is encouraged to contact the Ellisville Police Department at 636-227-7777 or CrimeStoppers at 1-866-371-TIPS (8477).
A $5,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest in this case.
