Navy vet dies, leaving $263,000 at motel [View All]

Navy vet dies, leaving $263,000 at motel
The Associated Press
Posted : Thursday May 1, 2008 6:09:54 EDT

SHELDON, Iowa — Authorities say a transient who stayed at a motel left behind $263,000 when he died — and few clues about how he got it.

The mystery began on March 31, when the Sioux County Sheriff’s Office was called to the Sheldon Motel to investigate the death of a man who lived there five months of the year. Sgt. Jamison Van Voorst called the case the most interesting he’s seen in his 14 years with the office.

As Van Voorst and Sheriff Dan Altena investigated the death of John Richard Grant, they discovered some papers, the back of a gold watch and other belongings. Then came the surprise: cash stuffed inside two vinyl cassette tape cases, most of it in $50 and $100 bills.

Van Voorst and Altena immediately began searching for Grant’s relatives. There is no reason to believe the 82-year-old Grant got the money illegally, so it should go to his next of kin, they said.

Van Voorst said the Sheriff’s Office is waiting to hear from Sioux County Attorney Coleman McAllister, who may have found a brother.


Rest of article at: http://www.navytimes.com/news/2008/04/ap_transientvet_043008/