Murder is investigated between Marengo and Blairstown

Officials investigate a murder at 1040 L Ave., Marengo.

One person was murdered late Sunday afternoon in a farmhouse north of Marengo and another is being treated for a gunshot wound in what officials believe was an apparent murder-suicide attempt.

The residents of Marengo are left wondering what happened June 7 at 1040 L Ave. approximately three miles north of town.

Amy Lynn Gephart, 35, Marengo, is dead. Tonch Lynn Weldon, 37, Blairstown, is at the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics in critical condition.

According to Iowa County Sheriff Robert Rotter, Weldon allegedly shot Gephart with a 20-guage shotgun around 4:30 p.m. in the dining room-living room area on the first floor of the two-story farmhouse. Then Weldon turned the gun on himself and allegedly took a blast under the base of his chin.

“It was a murder-suicide and the suicide just didn’t get completed,” Rotter said. “It’s a simple story. Unfortunately it is a tragic one.”

Gephart was pronounced dead at the scene from a single gunshot wound. An autopsy is scheduled for today at the State Medical Examiner’s Office in Ankeny. 

Weldon was flown by AirCare to the University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics. Rotter said Weldon’s injuries are believed to be non-life threatening. UIHC Media Relations Coordinator Tom Moore said there is no information available for anybody by the name of Tonch Weldon.

Tonch Weldon in a law enforcement picture from 2008

Rotter said Weldon is charged with first-degree murder and he is being guarded by law enforcement officials at the hospital.  The bond on Weldon is set at $1 million.

Rotter said it should be noted that the public is not in danger in regards to this situation as no suspects are at large.

The events the led up to the incident are still under investigation, Rotter said.

Gephart ran into financial trouble and moved into the house at 1040 L Ave. with Weldon and his wife, Amanda Weldon, a few months ago, Rotter said.

“Apparently something went wrong with the whole relationship of (Gephart) living at the house,” Rotter said. “It’s nasty. It’s nasty for all of the friends and family of everybody involved.”

Two children were on the property when the shooting occurred, Rotter said. There were also a number of dogs on the property and 10 dogs were rounded up by workers with Safe Haven of Iowa County and Iowa Valley Veterinary Clinic, Rotter said.

Friends and co-workers of Amy Gephart’s said she was an animal-lover and a very caring person.

She worked part-time at the Iowa Valley Veterinary Clinic since last August. Dr. Larry Miller, veterinarian, said Gephart did everything from answer phones to help with animal examinations. He said she was in work last Friday and was in good spirits.

“She’s a hard-worker and very a responsible and caring person. She is going to be missed” Dr. Miller said. “It was a shock certainly. I never expected this to happen.”

Brandi Snyder, co-owner of Drake’s Auto and Tire, is friends with both Gephart and the Weldon family. Amanda Weldon is employed at Drake’s as the receptionist.

“Mandy and Amy are good friends of ours. We love them both dearly. Amy would do anything for anybody. She was a good-natured person all around,” Snyder said. “Our concerns are with Mandy and the kids. We want what’s best for them under the circumstances.”

Marie Pohlman, 1135 L Ave., a neighbor of the Weldons, said Tonch and Amanda were good-hearted neighbors that would do anything to help out.

“They are a very nice family and great people,” Pohlman said. “If I called and said I needed something, they would drop everything to do it.”

Amanda Weldon could not be reached for comment.

A fund has been set up for both Amy Gephart and the Weldons’ two children at Keystone Bank, Marengo. People are asked to make donations to either the Amy L. Gephart Memorial Fund or the Assistance for Weldon Children Fund.

The Iowa County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Iowa Department of Criminal Investigation, Marengo Police Department, The Iowa State Patrol and the State Medical Examiner's Office. 

 

UPDATED June 8, 2009 6:26 PM