Idaho Murder Case May Be Reopened

June 29, 1979, was the last time Gayla Schaper was seen alive. Now, Latah County investigators are awaiting the result of tests on bone fragments to see if they can revive the 16-year-old case.

The bone slivers are part of new evidence uncovered in the last two years from property where Schaper was last seen.

Schaper, 26, was dropped off by her husband, Ken, to feed her horses at a pasture on Lenville Road. She disappeared and the crime never has been solved.

At the time, the property was owned by Larry G. Hagedorn.

Two years ago, Hagedorn’s son, William G. Hagedorn, was being held for the murder of JoAnn Grace Romero. He subsequently was convicted of that crime.

Based on information provided by William Hagedorn, Latah County investigators searched the Lenville property again. Other information from witnesses, an underground radar device and work by specially trained “cadaver” dogs led investigators to a metal shop.

Its cement floor was torn up. Witnesses said Larry Hagedorn added the floor in 1980.