← Back to United States casesAmy Mullis Allegedly Murdered by Todd Mullis, Earlville, Iowa, United States
Case Summary
Amy Mullis, 39, died on November 10, 2018, after sustaining six penetrating wounds from a four-tine corn planter in a red barn on the family farm near Earlville, Iowa. Her husband, Todd Mullis, reported that she had accidentally fallen on the equipment, but investigators and prosecutors argued that she was deliberately killed. The case involved Amy's ongoing affair with Jerry Fraser, alleged fears that Todd might kill her if he learned of the affair, suspicious internet searches, disputed physical and timeline evidence, and conflicting theories about whether the death was homicide or an accident. Todd was convicted of first-degree murder in 2019, sentenced to life without parole, had his conviction upheld in 2022, and was denied post-conviction relief in June 2026. Another appeal was reportedly being prepared.
Basic Information
Country: United States
State/Province: Iowa, United States
City/Region: Earlville
Incident Type: Murder
Relationship Status: Married
Relationship Duration: Approximately 14 years (marriage)
Affair / New-Partner Context
Recorded context: Affair started / overlapping relationship
Reported initiator: Victim
Relationship timing: During marriage or ongoing partnership, before separation
Incident Date: Nov. 10, 2018
Incident Sequence and Additional Victims
Primary reported outcome: Homicide
Reported self-harm outcome: No suicide or attempt reported
Reported sequence: Order not reported / unclear
Additional victims reported: 0
Relationship Journey
Relationship Origins:
- Met at Workplace
Relationship Stages:
- Married Living Together
- Separated
Analysis
Contributing Factors:
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Divorce / Separation
- Suspicion of infidelity
Red Flags:
- Secretive communication patterns
- Discovery of hidden calls or messages
- Deception after incident
- Secret affair
- Threats
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
Motives:
- Eliminate spouse
- Extramarital relationship
- Fear of exposure
- Property Gain
Relationship Outcomes:
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
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Amy Mullis Allegedly Murdered by Todd Mullis, Earlville, Iowa, United States
Relationship Journey Graph
Origin
- Met at Workplace
How the relationship or connection began.
Status
- Married
Approximately 14 years (marriage)
Stages
- Married Living Together
- Separated
Important relationship phases recorded for this case.
Warning Signals
- Secretive communication patterns
- Discovery of hidden calls or messages
- Deception after incident
- Secret affair
- Threats
- Firearm Access / Concerning Weapon Behavior
Reported red flags or early concern points.
Pressure Points
- Cheating / Infidelity
- Financial Issues
- Domestic Conflict
- Divorce / Separation
- Suspicion of infidelity
- Eliminate spouse
- Extramarital relationship
- Fear of exposure
- Property Gain
Contributing factors and possible motives from the available sources.
Incident
2018-11-10
Outcome
- Legal case ongoing
- Homicide during marriage
- Arrest made
Recorded relationship or case outcome.
AI Intelligence Assessment
Relationship Pattern
Infidelity
Pattern Analysis
The reported relationship conflict centered on repeated infidelity, concealment, and a possible impending separation. Amy's 2018 affair with Jerry Fraser overlapped with her marriage to Todd, while the source reports that Amy feared Todd might kill her if he discovered it. Prosecutors presented the affair, alleged resistance to divorce, suspicious searches, and disputed post-incident conduct as part of a homicide theory; the defense later emphasized accident and evidentiary uncertainty.
Investigative Notes
Todd reported that Amy had fallen on a corn planter and initially described an accidental injury. Police later learned of Amy's affair with Jerry Fraser and seized electronic devices under a search warrant. Searches concerning killing unfaithful spouses and the term "body parts" were attributed to Todd's Google account, although the account was accessible on multiple devices, including a family laptop and Amy's phone. Amy sustained six wounds from a four-tine planter, plus injuries to her wrists, knees, and face. Todd removed the planter, transported Amy in his truck, and called emergency services while driving. He was arrested and charged with first-degree murder on February 28, 2019, convicted on September 23, 2019, and sentenced to life without parole in September 2020. The Iowa Court of Appeals upheld the conviction on February 16, 2022. A later post-conviction proceeding argued that the death was accidental and that trial counsel had made an error; the judge denied relief on June 2, 2026. Another appeal was reportedly being prepared.
Investigation Confusion
The central dispute was homicide versus accidental death. Todd initially reported an accidental fall, while his trial defense conceded that Amy had been killed but denied Todd was responsible. A later defense team presented experts who supported an accidental explanation involving two falls onto the planter. The source also reports conflicting testimony from Tristan about how long Todd was out of sight and uncertainty over who conducted searches through Todd's Google account. The analyst expressed personal belief in Todd's guilt while also stating that newer evidence created reasonable doubt and justified a new trial.
Case Reconstruction / Puzzle Pieces
Amy and Todd married in 2004 and had three children. After a 2013 affair and counseling-based reconciliation, Amy reportedly began another affair with Jerry Fraser in June 2018. By November 2018, the source says Amy feared Todd's reaction and was preparing for a possible departure, while Todd was reportedly resistant to separation and concerned about the farm. On November 10, Amy left the north pig barn after appearing dizzy and went toward the red barn to retrieve a pet cage. Tristan later found her impaled by a four-tine corn planter. Todd removed the planter, placed Amy in his truck, and called emergency services while driving to the hospital. Investigators connected the case to the marital conflict through the affair, alleged threats, internet-search evidence, injuries, camera circumstances, and Todd's disputed conduct. The conviction was upheld, but subsequent defense evidence preserved an unresolved accident theory.
Risk Assessment
High relationship risk was reported because of repeated infidelity, concealed communications, alleged threats, fear of lethal retaliation, possible separation planning, and conflict over the farm. The source also describes disputed suspicious searches, a malfunctioning security camera, and conduct after the injury that prosecutors viewed as incriminating. These facts indicate serious escalation risk but do not independently establish criminal responsibility.
Key Takeaways
The source illustrates how repeated infidelity, concealed communication, alleged threats, separation planning, and perceived financial or property loss can intensify marital risk. Important case-comparison signals include a partner's expressed fear of retaliation, resistance to separation, suspicious searches, disputed scene handling, and inconsistent or evolving explanations. The case also demonstrates the importance of separating relationship motive evidence from proof of physical responsibility, especially when later expert testimony presents an alternative accident reconstruction.
AI Case Q&A
What early signals mattered most?
The most important reported early signals were Amy's repeated affair, her concealed communications with Jerry, her reported fear that Todd would kill her if he learned of the relationship, preparations to store furniture before leaving, and Todd's alleged resistance to separation and concern about losing the farm.
Which clues helped connect the case?
Reportedly important clues included the six wounds from a four-tine planter, injuries to Amy's wrists, knees, and face, the timing and handling of the emergency call, the alleged statement referring to her as a cheater, searches associated with Todd's Google account, the security camera failure, and the affair evidence. The source also notes that several of these clues were disputed or had alternative explanations.
Which evidence types appeared strongest?
The strongest reported evidence for the prosecution consisted of forensic injury findings, relationship and motive evidence, electronic searches, witness accounts, and Todd's post-incident conduct. Evidence supporting the defense included the absence of reported blood on Todd's clothing, disputed access to the Google account, Tristan's later account of Todd's limited absence, medication-related dizziness, the dark and narrow barn environment, the partially pulled pet cage, drills on the floor, and expert accident testimony.
Witness / Eyewitness Statements
Tristan reportedly found Amy in the red barn and testified about his father's whereabouts and physical condition. He later said he had been pressured by a member of Amy's family and maintained that Todd was out of his sight only briefly. Friends reportedly heard Amy express fear that Todd would kill her if he learned of the affair. A friend reportedly heard Todd say he would not give up the farm when separation was suggested. Police and emergency personnel documented Todd's account and response, but no independent eyewitness to the injury was reported.
How did follow-up reports change the understanding?
Follow-up reporting changed the case from an initial accidental-fall explanation to a homicide prosecution and conviction. Later appellate and post-conviction proceedings introduced renewed accident evidence, challenged trial strategy, highlighted conflicts in Tristan's testimony, and raised questions about the electronic searches. The post-conviction court denied relief in June 2026, while another appeal was reportedly pending or being prepared.
What remained unclear?
The source leaves unresolved whether Todd physically caused Amy's injuries, whether the Google searches were made by Todd, whether the camera failure was relevant, how long Todd was away from Tristan's view, and whether the six wounds and other injuries resulted from an assault or repeated accidental falls. The source also does not establish the precise role of Jerry Fraser in the events beyond the reported affair.