Evidence in the Amy Mullis corn rake murder case

On Nov. 10, 2018, an Iowa farmer, Todd Mullis, called 911. He said his wife, Amy, had fallen on a corn rake and was now unresponsive. 

What is a Corn Rake?

A corn rake is a heavy duty farming tool used to scoop corn. This is the corn rake Todd Mullis said had impaled his wife in an accident. It has four tines. 

Amy Mullis Dies

Amy Mullis was rushed to the hospital with massive bleeding and pronounced dead. But the emergency room doctor questioned her husband’s story. 

A Closer Look

Amy Mullis had six puncture wounds, but the corn rake that killed her only had four tines. 

Police Investigate

Delaware County Sheriff’s deputies went to the Mullis farm to investigate.  

The Mullis Farm

The Mullis’ had an expansive property with two large hog barns – each about the length of a football field. 

Preparing for Piglets

Todd Mullis told police that before Amy died, she had been working in one of their hog buildings with him and their 13-year-old son, Trysten. He said they were preparing for a delivery of piglets.

Division of Labor

Trysten Mullis was carrying portable heaters while Todd set up equipment that would provide water to the pens. Amy was cleaning the lights.

Dizzy Spells

Both Todd and Trysten Mullis said that Amy had become dizzy and they were concerned about her. Todd said that four days earlier, Amy had undergone an outpatient medical procedure. 

The Red Shed

According to Trysten Mullis, his mom wanted to keep working, but his dad suggested she go in the house and rest. Trysten said his dad asked Amy if on her way to the house, she could stop by the red shed and take out a pet carrier.

Rounding up Kittens

Todd Mullins said he needed the pet carrier to round up a litter of kittens. He said he planned on using some heavy machinery later and didn’t want to run them over. 

Finishing Up

Trysten Mullis said after Amy left, he continued working with his dad for about another hour and a half. He said when they finished, they went to the front office of the barn where Todd looked out the window and said he didn’t see the pet carrier where he had asked Amy to put it. 

Finding Amy

Todd Mullis told police that he sent Trysten to the red shed to check on Amy and the pet carrier. 

A Grisly Scene

The teenager said he found Amy Mullis inside the red shed, lying face down on the ground with a corn rake sticking out of her back. He screamed for his dad. 

A Narrow Shed

Because the opening inside the shed was so narrow, Todd Mullis said he had to remove the corn rake from Amy’s back in order to get her out. He described himself as “a doer” who wanted to get her help.

A Troubled Marriage

Deputies began interviewing Amy’s friends and soon learned that she was having an affair with someone who worked on the Mullis’ farm. 

An Arrest

In February 2019, Todd Mullis was arrested for Amy’s murder.

More to the Case

Todd Mullis maintained he was innocent and said he had not known Amy was having an affair. Todd’s son Trysten also told police he was with his dad the whole time.