DesMoines

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.

Jackie Shireman was found lying in a pool of blood in the walk-in cooler at Dubuque’s Marino’s Meal on a Bun around 7:45 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 4, 1975. She had been stabbed approximately 30 times with a pair of scissors.

A witness told police she saw two men — one about 20 years old and one about 35 years old — leaving the restaurant minutes after the estimated time of the homicide. A little more than $100 was missing from the cash register.

Steven Moore, 21, was indicted and tried for the murder. At the time of his indictment, two years after the murder, Moore was in the Iowa State Penitentiary on a burglary charge. Witnesses who had originally implicated Moore refused to testify during the trial. The lack of witness testimony — combined with no footprints, fingerprints or palm prints matching Moore's in the restaurant — led to Moore being found not guilty. There were few other promising leads in the case.

Cold Case breakdown

WHO: Jackie Shireman

AGE: 21

DIED: Jan. 4, 1975

LOCATION: Dubuque

How you can help: If you have any information concerning Jackie Shireman’s unsolved murder, please contact the Dubuque Police Department at (563) 589-4410 or the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation at (515) 725-6010 or 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