Northwest Missouri State University - Tower Yearbook (Maryville, MO)

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r By Mike Johnson im . coiUiimcd from page IS The Silciil Walk helped some students deal with the loss of their friend. Laura Girard had known Hawkins since grade school and coped with the question of why. My initial reaction was, how could something so tragic happen to someone so full of life, Girard said. She was so innocent, and she ' d never hurt anyone. For some, it was difficult because they knew both Hawkins and Dennis Lee Jones, the man who confessed to the murder. Joann Hall, who attended the Silent Walk, rinimed with Jones at the time of Hawkins death. I didn ' t want it to be true, Hall said. I was friends with Karen too. I loved Karen and I lo ed Dennis. It was rough. While Hawkins ' murder was rough on many, death was never easy. However, with the love and support of friends and family, those coping with the loss of a lo ed one did not have to suffer alone in silence. Events of the Murder For (he first time in 12 ears, a murder rocked Northwest when Maryville-nalive Hawkins was discovered missing and reported dead. Hawkins was last seen leaving BJ ' s Bar and Package Store at 1 :.M) a.m. Kriday, April 20. A missing person ' s report was filed at . i. O p.m. when Hawkins had not returned home after driving Jones, an aquaintance from work, to his home. Later that evening, Jones revealed to Marvville Public Safet thai Hawkuis had Karen Hawkins been assaulted to the point of death. In the confession videotaped by police, Jones admitted disposing the body m the 102 Rner. Jones u as charged with murder in the first degree, forcible rape, forcible sodomy and felonious restraint. The Missouri Water Patrol, Public Safety, Missouri State Highway Patrol, Nodaway County Sheriff ' s and Coroner ' s Office, Campus Safety and community volunteers searched the river for her bod . After an estimated 800 man hours, it was found at 10 a.m. the follow ing Fridav 1 mile down river. A Northwest professor had called the police and suggested they use a bag of potatoes to locale the body. Officials threw in a 20-pound bag with a banner attached and, because of the bag and body ' s similar mass, recovered the Hawkins ' body. A memorial service was held at the Bell Tower to honor Hawkins ' memory and the counseling center sponsored group counseling sessions for Hawkins ' sorority sisters. The story ' s conclusion came when Jones hanged himself in the Maryville prison weeks before he was to stand trial. Coping 21

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Missouri Water Patrol officials search the 102 Ri er lor Karen Hawkins body. The body was discovered se en days later when a L ' niversity professor suggested throw ing a 20-pound bag of potatoes into the ri er Murder suspect Dennis Lee Jones enters through the hack eiiti ancc ol ih NodawaN County Courthouse Annex for his arraiynmcnl Jones conlesscc to killini; Hawkins and later hiuiL ' hinisclt in his lail ceM : ' - ' z Brooke Boehner speaks at the menioria service in honor of Karen Hawkins in front of the Bell of ' 48. The counseling center sponsored a support group for sorority members to help them deal with Hawkins ' death 20 Student Life

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Nathan Dietendorf and Rick Toth sip drinks and enjoy conversation at The Leaded Bean. The Leaded Bean and Gourmet Pleasures gave students an intimate atmosphere to chat with friends and ra study. Both i- coffeehouses 5 CO were recent additions to the businesses of B o Maryville. g Lori Gano surveys the choices at Gourmet Pleasures while Kristin Bohnenkamp reads the Maryville Daily Forum. Despite the chaos of open mic nights, the coffeehouse provided students a place to relax, study and chat with friends. A cluster of women socialize outside of Gourmet Pleasures. The coffeehouse offered regular entertainment with 3 open mic night on Wednesdays and Friends night on Thursdays. 22 Student Life