Big Sky Cold Case: 1980 Billings Double Murder

45 Year Old Double Homicide In Billings, Montana Has Never Been Solved

On September 20, 1980 George Henrich and Marlen Mazzola were on their second date. George made supper for Marlen at his home, and the couple headed into Billings. George and Marlen were going to meet George's brother and sister at the Elk's Club.

Details Of The Double Murder

When things were closing down around 1:30 am, the couple headed back to George's home on Old Highway 12 East of Billings.

Fast forward to around 4:00-4:30 the morning of September 21, 1980. George's daughter, Peggy, stopped into the house and found her father and Marlen on the floor of George's bedroom.

The couple were both on the floor, hands tied behind their back. Peggy said her dad was face-down on the floor with his hands bound behind his back with electrical tape and there was a pillowcase over his head. She told Lynn Turner Fitzgerald that she was so upset seeing her father that way that she left the room before she could see what had been done with Marlen.

What The Police Found When They Arrived

The police got to the house around 5 am. The front door was unlocked and there were no signs of forced entry. The police found George's house keys on the steps outside the door.

At the time, police thought the couple had surprised the intruders when they came home and they ran upstairs to the bedroom. The intruders broke in and murdered the couple in the bedroom. After they strangled the pair, they stole Marlen's car and fled the scene.

Police found some items to be missing like a diamond ring and clock, but money from a recent livestock sale and other items were still in the home. They theorize that George was the intended victim and Marlen was a victim of circumstance.

Investigators talked to over 150 people and offered a $1,000 reward, and the case is still cold.

Sources: True Crime Diva, Spot Crime, ABC Non-Stop Local