The Murder of Artemus Ogletree
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 April 11, 2026, Kansas City magazine has made the extensive 500-page case file public to encourage new leads or a potential solution to the enduring mystery. Ogletree had been severely beaten, stabbed, and bound, with an autopsy revealing a fractured skull and punctured lung, though he claimed he had fallen. Joseph Martin's handwriting was matched to letters sent to Ogletree's mother, but he was never charged, despite being arrested in 1937 for another murder. Hotel staff reportedly saw at least one woman and possibly a man leaving Room 1046 before the body was discovered, and a woman named Jean Owen reported hearing arguments and a scuffle from the adjacent room on the night of the murder.
Timeline
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April 2026 — 2 developments
Kansas City magazine has made the extensive case file, comprising over 500 pages of witness statements and investigative records from the 1935 murder of Artemus Ogletree, public.
Kansas City magazine has made the extensive case file, comprising over 500 pages of witness statements and investigative records from the 1935 murder of Artemus Ogletree, public. This release aims to encourage new leads or a potential solution to the enduring mystery.
Joseph Martin's handwriting was matched to letters sent to Artemus Ogletree's mother, though he was never charged in connection with the case.
Joseph Martin's handwriting was matched to letters sent to Artemus Ogletree's mother, though he was never charged in connection with the case. Martin was arrested in 1937 for another murder.
October 2025 — 1 developments
Hotel staff reportedly saw at least one woman and possibly a man leaving Room 1046 before Roland T.
Hotel staff reportedly saw at least one woman and possibly a man leaving Room 1046 before Roland T. Owen's body was discovered.
September 2025 — 1 developments
Two women claimed to have seen 'Roland Towan' at clubs with two other women, identifying him by a peculiar scar on his head.
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.
January 2025 — 2 developments
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.
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.
Police determined that Roland T.
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.
November 2024 — 1 developments
Early in the investigation, Kansas City investigators suspected 'Roland T.
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.
October 2023 — 2 developments
Artemus Ogletree, using the alias Roland T.
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.
Autopsy revealed Roland T.
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'.
June 2018 — 1 developments
A woman named Jean Owen, staying in the room next to Roland T.
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.
November 2017 — 1 developments
An investigation into the death of Roland T.
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.
September 2017 — 1 developments
Four fingerprints were found on the phone stand potentially from a female.
Four fingerprints were found on the phone stand potentially from a female.
December 1939 — 1 developments
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.
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.
November 1936 — 1 developments
Over a year and a half after his death, 'Roland T.
Over a year and a half after his death, 'Roland T. Owen' is identified as 19-year-old Artemus Ogletree from Alabama by his mother, Ruby Ogletree, who recognized a photo of a distinctive scar on his head in a national publication.
March 1935 — 1 developments
After police are unable to identify 'Roland T.
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.
January 1935 — 4 developments
Despite his severe injuries, 'Owen' tells police that 'Nobody' hurt him and that he 'fell against the bathtub' before losing consciousness.
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.
Hotel staff repeatedly find the phone in Room 1046 off the hook.
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.
A maid attempting to clean Room 1046 finds the door locked from the outside and discovers 'Owen' inside, sitting in the dark.
A maid attempting to clean Room 1046 finds the door locked from the outside and discovers 'Owen' inside, sitting in the dark. She later hears two men's voices from the room, and a man who was not 'Owen' tells her they don't need towels.
A man identifying himself as Roland T.
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.