Man charged with 1981 murders

On January 12, 1981, Waterloo Police were called to 311 West 10th Street on a report of two people found dead in the house there. The deceased were Robert and Goldie Huntbach. The two died of gunshot wounds. An autopsy was completed on the victims and the cause of death was ruled a homicide. Police diligently investigated the case, but in 1981 no arrest was made.

On Tuesday, May 8th, 2012, Jack Wendell Pursel, age 66, of South Gate, California, came to the Waterloo Police Department and confessed to killing both Robert and Goldie Huntbach. Pursel stated he planned on robbing them and killing them. Pursel gave Police Investigators details of what happened that only a person involved with the crime would have known.

Pursel is being held on two (2) counts of Murder in the First Degree. His is being held in the Black Hawk County Jail on $500,000 bond. A booking photo will be released when it becomes available.

Captain Tim Pillack
Waterloo Police Investigations
319-291-4336