Found Deceased NE - Alexander Mayfield, 43, in need of medical assistance, Auburn, 31 July 2024

[Sillybilly]

Does anyone know if me posting some pictures of Alex's vehicle after it was recovered and things found in his vehicle would be appropriate?

Yes, as long as there are no extremely graphic images and a link is provided to the source of the images.

 

[Penny s]

This is a recent post from Alex' sister, Amanda (Mayfield) Powell.
My brother Alex Mayfield death was
NOT an accident even though that's how Nemaha County sheriff's office wants it to be believed. I can finally share information that proves otherwise publicly. I would like to appeal to everyone to please help my family!
They left him in the river for a week after discovering the jeep was there by phone pings, due to not having the funding to remove the vehicle. Due to that evidence was lost because of decomposition and animal life.
We were told that the police had conducted a thorough search with interviews and found out that was not the case
The private detective found that the jeep was not running when it entered the river and was in park even though the police said he drove it into the river.
(This part of the investigation is not complete)
The sheriff's office put in writing that the jeep was thoroughly searched.
When the jeep was returned to us months later upon the detectives search unknown substances were found that appear to be drugs immediately upon him opening the drivers door.
Parts of Alex's hand was found clinging to the back seat of the jeep coming from the cargo area. Also his pinky bone was found imbedded to the handle of the back door.
There was a weapon found in the backseat that appeared to be homemade.
A ring was found that our family does not believe belonged to Alex.
A large patch of Alex's hair was found in the liner of the jeep in the cargo area that doesn't support it being accidental.
(Investigation still on going)
In addition when the private detective opened the glove compartment a large amount of water poured out indicating it had not been opened prior to the detectives search.
Alex's glasses were found in the case in the back that he would have needed to have on to see if he was driving
The private detective concluded there is NOT any evidence that the jeep had been searched as most of the evidence was found in plain sight.
In conclusion several interviews have been completed with different people of interest that aren't consistent with the original statements nor does the evidence found support their statements. It should also be noted per the 4 pages of a normal 12 to 14 page autopsy report the family was given shows that Alex was found in different clothing than last seen in. The clothes he was last seen in have yet to be found except the hat he was wearing was found in his home. The clothes he was found in are consistent with something he would have worn to bed. Several diffent stories were given between the coroner and the sheriff's offices but the clothes were destroyed for an unknown reason. This is still an ongoing investigation by a private detective but these are some of the inconsistencies that have been found. It is unclear if these things were missed due to incompetence, a cover up or just plain laziness by those who conducted the original investigation.
There is a reward of 20 thousand for any information that leads to an arrest in this case. There is also a P.O box set up for anyone that wishes to remain anonymous it is Amanda Powell P.O. Box 31 Auburn NE 68305. We also have a go fund me set up, as you can imagine the expenses of an attorney and private investigation are adding up. Please feel free to private message me with any question you may have. It is our hope and prayer that this information reaches the hands of anyone who may be able to help spread this information or lead us to the answers our family deserves.




Vial with Alex's prescription meds inside.


ring found in the backseat. Not Alex's.


Alex was last seen in a gas station in these clothes. Later that night his vehicle went into the Missouri River. His autopsy reported that he was wearing gray knit shorts, and gray shirt, no glasses, no hat.

Spoiler: Warning - Graphic

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Alex's fingers found on the top of the backseat.










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[Ladyotm]

Penny,

I'm sorry for your loss and I hope your family gets answers soon.

I have a few observations/questions.
I agree with your speculation that Alex may have panicked and put the car in park if he was aware it was going in the water.
What position was the car found in? Upright, facedown, hood first, etc? That may explain the positioning of his body.

Which fingers were missing?
At first I was thinking the time in the water may have had an effect on his fingers, but realized it was about a week between his disappearance and when he was found. Were you all able to tell where his fingers were separated from his hands and if there was a jagged or smooth separation?
In an attempt to escape could he have injured and amputated his hands by mistake?

The clothing color is strange as well. But could this be explained by the temperature of the water and being submerged in the water for multiple days? Were his original clothes found at home? Did he have a gym or friend's home nearby where he may have changed?

 

[Penny s]

Penny,

I'm sorry for your loss and I hope your family gets answers soon.

I have a few observations/questions.
I agree with your speculation that Alex may have panicked and put the car in park if he was aware it was going in the water.
What position was the car found in? Upright, facedown, hood first, etc? That may explain the positioning of his body.

Which fingers were missing?
At first I was thinking the time in the water may have had an effect on his fingers, but realized it was about a week between his disappearance and when he was found. Were you all able to tell where his fingers were separated from his hands and if there was a jagged or smooth separation?
In an attempt to escape could he have injured and amputated his hands by mistake?

The clothing color is strange as well. But could this be explained by the temperature of the water and being submerged in the water for multiple days? Were his original clothes found at home? Did he have a gym or friend's home nearby where he may have changed?

Thank you for your interest. I will try to answer your questions.

As for the position the car was found in, I do not know. I only know that the vehicle went a few yards downstream and was then stopped underwater by a "parked" Meriwether Lewis Dredge.

The clothing Alex was found in was completely different than what he left the bar in that night. He left the bar in denim shorts, a Nebraska t-shirt, a ballcap and his glasses. He supposedly went into the Missouri River about an hour later and was found there (according to the autopsy) wearing gray knit shorts, a gray t-shirt, no glasses, no ballcap. this is the type of clothing Alex wore to sleep in. His original clothing has not been recovered. He didn't have anywhere else to go to change clothes other than home.

As far as his fingers go, it is not possible to tell if they rotted off or were severed. What is the craziest thing about the finders is that the local PD did not discover them in the vehicle before they released it to us. They were found by our Private Investigator. The fingers were from his left hand. Interesting note, the autopsy did not mention that he had these three fingers missing!!!!!

 

[starlightstarbright]

@Penny s I’m so sorry for you and your family. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen such blatantly poor (and unapologetically so) investigative work before. They should be embarrassed. Searched the car (‘searched’ apparently) but missed drugs and three of his fingers?! And the autopsy that neglected to even note he was missing 3 fingers?! Two completely separate teams who probably don’t even work together, but equally so incompetent is actually quite astonishing really!

My question would be, do you think there is risk to your family by taking this to the news media? If not, I would get a local investigative journalist on your side and push back hard on this. It’s incredibly sub-par investigative work and someone needs to be held accountable. I bet you may find other families with similar stories.

 

[mlhenn]

@Penny s I can’t imagine what your family is going through.

I feel like I need to reread this entire thread and try to better digest all this info! Because right now I feel like I have a hundred questions.

I totally agree with @starlightstarbright post above.
I hope you get the answers you deserve but stay safe.

 

[Penny s]

We are equally perplexed why the local PD didn't want to keep investigating. Makes no sense. If they are too busy or whatever, they could have invited the Nebraska State Patrol to get involved. After Alex's sister, Amanda, and our P.I. sat down with the local county attorney, we really thought things would change. The county attorney acted upset at the time. The Nebraska State Patrol even reached out to our P.I. Then nothing.
This is a small town of around 3,000 with only a Sheriff's Department. The autopsy was completed in Omaha, Nebraska which is about 60 miles away.
We are not worried about any personal danger, maybe we should be?! Anyway, there are too many in the family to hurt all of us! We did have some interest from one journalist but he bailed because it wasn't an exclusive! The situation had been covered by a different news agency about a month after the funeral before we had so much info. I have reached out to podcasters and true crime TV shows. So far nothing back. Thank you for your support!

 

[bluestsocks]

The FOIA was denied because in Nebraska because "...please be aware that FOIA applies to request to and on Federal Agencies, your request to three Nebraska County Agencies to which FOIA does not apply." I guess it's a Nebraska thing.

Hi, I can help here. FOIA is a federal law that only applies to the federal government. So if the FBI was investigating, you could try to FOIA their records for instance. Many states have their own freedom of information laws, but they aren’t called FOIA and you need to make the request under the state’s law, not FOIA. They’re often known as “sunshine laws”. Sometimes it’s confusing because they’re called “State Name FOIA” but if you just call it FOIA or don’t use their specific law or format, they’ll deny it. Try looking into “Nebraska Public Records Law 84-712 et seq.”

 

[Penny s]

Thank you for your suggestion to research NE Public Records 84-712. Unfortunately, the Nemaha County Attorney has also denied it for the "Pursuant Nebraska Public Records Statute § 84-712.05(5), may be withheld from the public by the lawful custodian of the records. Further, upon review, your request does not meet the limited exceptions to §84-712.05(5)"

One good thing is happening. I have convinced KETV channel 7 out of Omaha, Nebr. to go to Auburn and interview my niece, Alex's sister, as well as the P.I. That is happening tonight.

 

[Penny s]

More good news! I reached out to the Nebraska State Patrol and a detective called me back and said they are reviewing Alex's case! Last I heard they were not involved. And there was an interview with Amanda (Alex's sister) and the Private Investigator that should air on Channel 10 news in Omaha this week.

 

[Penny s]

A little update. Alex Mayfield's wife died a couple weeks ago. Another avenue to find out what really happened when Alex went missing is lost. Family is holding a rally in Auburn, Nebraska today. Justice for Alex. I saw the jeep he died in yesterday. It is clear that he died in the cargo area of the Jeep Liberty. A large amount of his hair is stuck on the cargo area roof. Three of his fingers were stuck next to the headrest on the backseat. The Jeep was pulled out of the river by crane by the rear end. Alex's body was then catapulted to the front and found with his rear on the steering wheel. The latest info was conveyed to us by the funeral director who was responsible for removing Alex's body. He had to use a saw to cut out parts of the car to remove his body. FYI Alex was a large man. Sheriff's office still thinks he accidentally drove into the river. Unbelievable. Not sure how he drove into the river from the cargo area. There's no way if he was in the driver's seat when he went into the river he would have "floated" to the cargo area. He was too large of a man to move beyond the driver's seat and under the steering wheel. Interior is just too small and cramped. Still looking for justice....

 

[Penny s]

A Nebraska family claims botched investigation after P.I. discovers left behind body parts

Perhaps the most shocking discovery of all, he found parts of Alex’s hand. It was clasped to the backside of the driver’s seat headrest.

www.1011now.com

 

[mlhenn]

A Nebraska family claims botched investigation after P.I. discovers left behind body parts

Perhaps the most shocking discovery of all, he found parts of Alex’s hand. It was clasped to the backside of the driver’s seat headrest.

www.1011now.com

Powell and Alex Mayfield’s family contacted Erik Rezabek, a state-licensed detective, and founder of the missing person organization ‘Bring Em Home.’

“What they[deputies] were coming up with just wasn’t adding up to me,” Rezabek said. “There were too many other players in the game; where he was found didn’t make any sense, why he went there didn’t make any sense, so we just started digging in.”

He said evidence came flooding out of Alex’s car the moment he began his investigation.


“When I went to open up the glove compartment, something that was very disappointing in regards to the search, I don’t think they searched it at all...” Rezabek claimed. “Water poured out, so I was the first one to open up that glove compartment.”

Rezabek and his team also found a medicine bottle he believes contains drugs. As well as what he describes as a “makeshift weapon” and a ring they say didn’t belong to Mayfield.

Perhaps the most shocking discovery of all, he found parts of Mayfield’s hand. It was clasped to the backside of the driver’s seat headrest.

 

[mlhenn]

Family calls for criminal investigation into death of Alex Mayfield

Sheriff says closure may come from final forensic reports

rivercountry.newschannelnebraska.com

The sheriff’s says closure may come with the final forensic reports.

Sheriff Brent Lottman said his office has not determined it was an accident. He said they are waiting for autopsy and toxicology reports and will update the family when they have the results.

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

I’m so sorry you and your family is going through this, @Penny s. There are certainly a lot of strange things going on here, it seems. Were his glasses at home or in the case in the back of the Jeep? And is it true the original clothes were not found? If he went home and changed to go to bed, they should have been there. Condolences to the family on his wife’s passing as well. I can’t help but wonder if there could be any connection. I’m a bit concerned for the daughter who also was in the house that night. If I recall, she and her mom thought Alex didn’t come home but then said he could have when the inconsistencies came to light. My mind is going in circles on this one.

 

[Penny s]

The glasses he wore and the hat he wore that night were found in his home. Another pair of glasses was found in a case in the vehicle. Probably his old pair of glasses. The sheriff in town has everyone afraid to talk or there will be Retaliation. Its so dumb and sad. We met with the Nebraska Attorney General. State patrol is supposed to be reviewing the case but haven't talked to anyone yet! Very frustrating. Wsh I could get a Podcaster interested in the case. I just reached out to Real Life Real Crime podcast.

 

[Penny s]

Does anyone know of any crime reporters/podcasters that would be open to looking into Alex's case? We are at a loss right now. The police think he "accidentally" drove into the river. Makes zero sense.

 

[BlkMtnGirl]

From what I've seen and what you said, it doesn't make sense. Penny s, I do hope someone will put this on a podcast. I can't help you there, other than maybe replying and keeping the thread alive. Wishing you the best.