Crime Junkie Podcast Summary Episode: MURDERED: Malvina Krutz
Introduction In this riveting episode of Crime Junkie, hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt delve into the mysterious and unsolved murder of Malvina Krutz, which took place on January 29, 1958, in Indianapolis. This case remains shrouded in unanswered questions, making it a compelling subject for true crime enthusiasts.
The Discovery of the Crime On a brisk Wednesday afternoon, Charles Crutz returned home to his residence in the Meridian Kessler neighborhood after a typical workday. Upon arrival around 5 PM, he noticed his wife Malvina's 1950s Buick was absent. Concerned, he entered the home, finding their 10-year-old son, Charles "Buddy" Krutz, on the couch watching television.
Ashley describes the initial discovery:
Ashley Flowers [05:37]: "It's a brisk Wednesday afternoon on January 29, 1958... When he pulls up, he's a little taken aback because his wife's 1950s Buick isn't around."
Buddy reported that his mother had been out delivering newspapers during his lunchtime visit. However, something felt off to both Buddy and Charles. Buddy noticed unusual disarray in his own room and Malvina’s bedroom, including blood spots and mucus stains on pillows, torn wet pants suspiciously out of place, and a broken towel holder—all indicators of a struggle.
Initial Investigation and Evidence When police arrived, they found 41-year-old Malvina Krutz submerged in her bathtub, still warm with lukewarm bathwater and no signs of rigor mortis, indicating she had likely been killed shortly before her discovery. The autopsy revealed blunt force trauma to Malvina's head, suggesting foul play rather than an accidental fall.
Ashley elaborates on the scene:
Ashley Flowers [10:09]: "The coroner does say that she had water in her lungs and had blunt force trauma above her left eye... so they're thinking it was a murder."
Key pieces of evidence included a yellow lead pencil branded "White County Remc, Monticello, Indiana" with human hairs attached and a mysterious yellow paint-smeared rag found in Malvina's abandoned Buick. However, the pencil was a common item, making it a dead end in identifying the perpetrator.
Suspects and Investigations The investigation initially focused on external suspects, including sex offenders in the area, given the potential motive of sexual assault inferred from Malvina's state. However, no concrete leads emerged.
Charles Crutz became a person of interest due to inconsistencies in his alibi. He claimed to have taken an extended lunch break, leaving work around noon to visit a friend, but this was later questioned by his landlady. Additionally, Malvina had filed for divorce shortly before her murder, citing Charles's "marital misconduct and gross negligence of conjugal duties," raising suspicions about his potential motives.
Ashley highlights:
Ashley Flowers [36:57]: "Malvina had filed for divorce from Charles on January 13th... she was worried about Buddy's safety if Charles continued living in their house."
Developments and Further Leads Detectives explored various leads, including a possible hitchhiker with a southern accent and fingerprints from different individuals who had been in and out of the Krutz household for renovations. Leroy Pennock, a painter who worked on the house, became a suspect after failing multiple polygraph tests despite passing initial screenings. However, insufficient evidence and Leroy's subsequent conviction for another murder in 1962 left the Malvina Krutz case unresolved.
Ashley discusses Leroy's involvement:
Ashley Flowers [56:24]: "Detectives initially suspected Leroy Pennock... but without a confession, they couldn’t definitively link him to Malvina's murder."
In 1960, a mysterious letter was sent to the police, describing a man with a mustache and yellow paint involved in Malvina's car incident. Despite the details provided, the letters did not lead to any breakthroughs.
Conclusion Despite extensive investigations and multiple suspects, the murder of Malvina Krutz remains unsolved after 66 years. The case is marked by a series of unfortunate events, including a car accident that claimed the lives of Charles's mother, Fanny, and later, Buddy in 2017. The enduring mystery continues to fascinate true crime aficionados, highlighting the complexities and challenges of criminal investigations in the mid-20th century.
Ashley concludes the episode by encouraging listeners with new information to come forward:
Ashley Flowers [61:18]: "If you have any information that could lead detectives down new paths or help corroborate previous theories, you can reach out to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana..."
Key Quotes:
- Ashley Flowers [05:37]: "So it's up to us crime junkies to ask who killed Malvina Krutz?"
- Britt [18:19]: "Is this real? This is our guy."
- Ashley Flowers [56:24]: "Detectives initially suspected Leroy Pennock... but without a confession, they couldn’t definitively link him to Malvina's murder."
Final Thoughts The Crime Junkie episode on Malvina Krutz masterfully unpacks a decades-old mystery, presenting a thorough examination of the evidence, suspects, and investigative hurdles that have kept this case in the annals of unsolved crimes. With clear narratives and insightful discussions, listeners are left pondering the unresolved questions that continue to surround Malvina Krutz's tragic death.