Clarence and Marjorie Paulson (2 of Clubs, Minnesota)

In 1984, Clarence and Marjorie Paulson vanished from their remote Minnesota home—two reclusive but well-known locals who left behind a table set with mustard, a knitting purse with $23, and no signs of struggle. For six years, the case went cold, dismissed as a possible wilderness disappearance. But in 1990, a farmer dismantling the abandoned house unearthed their mummified bodies beneath the foundation, revealing a brutal truth: Marjorie died from a gunshot to the chest, and Clarence suffered catastrophic head trauma. The discovery transformed the case from a missing persons mystery into a homicide investigation. Investigators zeroed in on John, a former drinking buddy of Clarence and son of a neighbor, who had a shaky alibi and a history of violence. Though he was never charged, he’s been interviewed multiple times, has a criminal record, and his DNA is on file. Despite strong circumstantial evidence and a compelling theory—John may have attacked Clarence during a confrontation, panicked, and disposed of the bodies in a hidden crawl space—prosecutors remain hesitant. The case is considered solvable, but the lack of admissible evidence, especially DNA from shell casings, and the risk of jury prejudice from John’s past have stalled prosecution. Investigators, including third-generation lawman Ryan Fisher, remain determined, urging anyone with information to come forward.