Gone Cold: John Stephens and Paul Rayer, killed in 1967

This is a weekly feature highlighting some of Iowa’s unsolved homicides in the hopes that it will lead to new tips and potentially help solve cases. The project is a partnership between this newspaper and other members of the Iowa Newspaper Association.

Police Officer John Stephens, 32, and Paul Rayer, 51, were shot and killed on Dec. 5, 1967, during a robbery of Club 64, an upscale steakhouse about a half-mile east of Council Bluffs’ city limits where Stephens moonlighted as a plain-clothes security guard. Robbery appeared to be the motive.

Stephens was to accompany Rayer, the restaurant’s manager, to the Council Bluffs Savings Bank at about 2 a.m. after the business closed and daily receipts were counted. Both men’s bodies were found dead in the restaurant’s office about five hours later when a club employee arrived for regular clean up work. Each victim was shot multiple times. Evidence indicated that there were two shooters and the shooting was what police called a “gangland-style slaying.”

About $1,500 was missing from the night’s receipts. There were no witnesses, and officers found no signs of forced entry. It was not known whether the assailants hid somewhere in the building or somehow gained entry after the dinner club closed. It was believed both men were shot to prevent their identification of the robbers, and authorities theorized Stephens may have recognized the gunmen.

New evidence caused the case to be reopened in Missouri in 1987, but with no solid evidence authorities needed to make an arrest and pursue a conviction, the case went cold.

If you have any information about this unsolved double slaying please contact the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-5737 or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at 515-725-6010, email dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

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Cold Case breakdown

WHO: John L. Stephens and Paul J. Rayer

AGE: Stephens, 32; Rayer, 51

DIED: Dec. 5, 1967

LOCATION: Council Bluffs

How you can help: If you have any information about this unsolved double slaying please contact the Council Bluffs Police Department at 712-328-5737 or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at 515-725-6010, email dciinfo@dps.state.ia.us.

MORE: Read more stories in our series, explore the database and watch videos on Iowa's unsolved murders, at DesMoinesRegister.com/GoneCold

DATABASE: Explore an interactive map of Iowa's unsolved murders, dating back to 1847, and learn more about each case from information gathered by Iowa Cold Cases

ABOUT THE PROJECT: Gone Cold: Getting away with murder