MASON CITY – A rental property in Mason City known for trouble – sometimes dubbed the “Murder Mansion”- is now boarded-up. Tenants, neighbors and squatters had given the nickname to the place due to the 2012 murder of a young women there.
The apartment building located at 410 N. Washington Avenue that housed many undesirables and squatters throughout the years is empty at this time. The rooms have been gutted and trash has been removed. The windows and doors on the bottom floor have all been nailed shut.
“We have had some theft reports lately (large appliances) and problems with squatters / trespassers in the common area which may be the reason for the plywood,” police told NorthIowaToday.com
The regular residents have found different places to live.
One ex-resident said, “I like where I live now, it’s closer to work and the little extra money I pay for it is made up for not having to get a taxi to go to work.”
Another former resident said, “I don’t have to worry about my door being broken down and my stuff being stolen anymore.”
There seemed to have been a party last weekend as told by a witness who wanted to stay anonymous, “The place was full of squatters partying. They were tearing up the place and even had a band in there.”
The house has been sold and rumor is that the new owner will be making apartments out of the building. The owner – SHECHEM LLC out of St. Ansgar – is supposedly in process of selling property to another person and was not available for comment. The property is supposedly set for a remodel.
Unfortunately, I knew the man who committed the murder of his girlfriend. They had a turbulant relationship combined with drug’s and alcohol,and mixed with untreated and self medicating of mental illness.
The relationship was abusive from both sides, and as we know, a murder of a young woman. There is much more than meets the eye or mind to the particular’s of the so called, “Murder Mansion” and the details of the murder itself. To know the full story is sad and upsetting to anyone who is unfortunate to know it…to say the least.
where is this pos house located? Im looking for fixerupers?
Is this a Russ Hardy house? If it is it may take years to remodel it.
I think the story says who owns the house… it doesn’t say Russ Hardy.
The years are here now. It’s looking good.
Just tear it down and forget it.
I would try and pass it off as a FLW home, then the taxpayers could pay for it.