The Murder of Artemus Ogletree

Developing StoryLast updated MAR 9
SUMMARY

Artemus Ogletree, using the alias Roland T. Owen, was found dead in Room 1046 of the Hotel President in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 4, 1935, after checking in on January 2, 1935. As of October 6, 2025, hotel staff reportedly saw at least one woman and possibly a man leaving Room 1046 before Owen's body was discovered. Police determined Owen's severe beating, stabbing, and binding injuries were not self-inflicted, suggesting the involvement of at least one other person in his murder. An autopsy revealed a fractured skull and punctured lung, and a woman named Jean Owen reported hearing arguments between a female and two males, followed by a scuffle and a gasping noise, on the night of the murder. Despite the discovery of fingerprints, a hairpin, a safety pin, and an unsmoked cigarette in the room, no suspect has ever been apprehended, leaving the case one of the strangest unsolved murders in U.S. history.

Timeline

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2025

4 updates

Hotel staff reportedly saw at least one woman and possibly a man leaving Room 1046 before Roland T. Owen's body was discovered.

via youtube.com

Two women claimed to have seen 'Roland Towan' at clubs with two other women, identifying him by a peculiar scar on his head. Additionally, a man named Johnson claimed the victim was his cousin.

via youtube.com

A YouTube documentary exploring the Room 1046 mystery mentioned the discovery of a man named Joseph Martin, who used the alias 'Donald Kelso', in connection with the case.

via youtube.com

Police determined that Roland T. Owen's injuries were not self-inflicted and that he could not have tied himself up, suggesting the involvement of at least one other person in his murder.

via youtube.com

2024

1 update

Early in the investigation, Kansas City investigators suspected 'Roland T. Owen' was an alias after failing to find records in Los Angeles, and hotel staff revealed he had also stayed at the Muehlebach Hotel. Hotel staff described him as unremarkable, in his twenties or thirties, with a scar and cauliflower ear.

via youtube.com·unresolved.me

2023

2 updates

Artemus Ogletree, using the alias Roland T. Owen, checked into the Hotel President in Kansas City, Missouri, on January 2, 1935, and was found dead in Room 1046 on January 4, 1935. He had been severely beaten, stabbed, and bound, but claimed he had fallen. The investigation yielded minimal clues, including a hairpin, safety pin, unsmoked cigarette, diluted sulfuric acid, and fingerprints believed to be a woman's.

via historicmysteries.com·Kansas City Public Library·Medium

Autopsy revealed Roland T. Owen suffered a fractured skull and punctured lung; he checked into the hotel on January 2, 1935, without luggage, was found nude, and his last words claimed he fell. Police estimated the murder occurred in the early hours of January 4th or 5th, and a note was found for someone named 'Don'.

via murdershetold.com·youtube.com·talkingtilldawn.com·medium.com·kansascitymag.com

2018

1 update

A woman named Jean Owen, staying in the room next to Roland T. Owen, reported hearing arguments between a female and two males, followed by a scuffle and a gasping noise, on the night of the murder.

via youtube.com

2017

2 updates

An investigation into the death of Roland T. Owen revealed no records of anyone by that name. Police found a hairpin, a safety pin, an unsmoked cigarette, and a necktie label in the room, along with four fingerprints on the telephone, presumed to be female but never identified. Despite numerous tips and attempts to identify the victim, no suspect was ever apprehended, leaving the case as one of the strangest unsolved murders in U.S. history.

via The Line Up

Four fingerprints were found on the phone stand potentially from a female.

via youtube.com

1939

1 update

Ruby Ogletree confronts Joe Simpson, the friend her son had left home with, after suspecting his involvement due to strange typed letters received after Artemus's death. Simpson's statements further solidify her suspicions, but police had previously assured her he was interviewed.

via murdershetold.com·youtube.com·reddit.com·en.wikipedia.org·reddit.com

1936

1 update

1935

5 updates

After police are unable to identify 'Roland T. Owen,' an anonymous man calls the funeral home, insisting the man be buried in Memorial Park Cemetery and offering to pay for the full burial costs. The money arrives rolled in a newspaper, and 13 American Beauty roses with a note reading 'Love Forever, Louise' are sent to the funeral.

via murdershetold.com·youtube.com·reddit.com·en.wikipedia.org·reddit.com

Despite his severe injuries, 'Owen' tells police that 'Nobody' hurt him and that he 'fell against the bathtub' before losing consciousness. He dies at the hospital shortly after midnight from skull fractures, beating, and stabbing injuries.

via murdershetold.com·youtube.com·reddit.com·en.wikipedia.org·reddit.com

Hotel staff repeatedly find the phone in Room 1046 off the hook. A bellboy eventually enters the room at 11:03 AM and discovers 'Owen' on his knees, holding his head, with blood throughout the room. Police find him bound, beaten, stabbed, and strangled, but still alive.

via murdershetold.com·youtube.com·reddit.com·en.wikipedia.org·reddit.com

A man identifying himself as Roland T. Owen checks into Room 1046 of the Hotel President in Kansas City, Missouri. Hotel staff note his minimal luggage and unusual behavior, including keeping the room dark and requesting the door be left unlocked.

via murdershetold.com·youtube.com·reddit.com·en.wikipedia.org·reddit.com

Story began · 92 years, 6 mo ago