03/24/2023
Nellie May Hubbard, 79, was murdered in her home at 1008 E. Elm Street in Salina, Kansas on March 14, 1981.
Nellie was beaten and strangled by her attacker. She was found face-up on a rollaway bed she slept on with a sheet covering her face. An autopsy revealed obvious signs of a struggle including eight broken ribs (one of which was broken in two places), a broken bone in her throat, an injury to the back of her skull, bruises on her arms and internal injuries.
Nellie had spent most of March 14, 1981 with her brother and his wife. A neighbor saw Nellie return home around 9 p.m. that evening. Police theorize that as she prepared to go to bed, Nellie most likely heard the sound of breaking glass. She likely confronted the intruder, who had thrown a brick through the glass of the rear door to gain entry to the home, when she went to investigate. It was then that Hubbard was most likely attacked. Investigators theorized that she was thrown to the floor during a struggle and strangled. Her body was then taken to the living room, placed on the rollaway bed, and covered up, where it was discovered by a friend of Nellie's that had come to visit at about 8 p.m. on March 15.
There was blood found on Nellie's clothing, which is believed to belong to her killer. Police also found a red, white and blue cigarette lighter with stars and the word "Vote" on it. The lighter, which was found in Nellie's bed underneath her body, may have also belonged to the killer. Nellie did not smoke and according to her family, she did not own a lighter. A scarf that Nellie always wore was found on the floor near the rear of the house. Nellie's family theorized that the scarf may have been pulled off of Nellie as she struggled with her assailant.
Investigators could never conclude if the murder was the result of burglary or robbery gone wrong. Inside Nellie's home, police found more than $93,000 in cash and more than $150,000 in certificates of deposit. Also found inside the house were numerous silver coins, some dating back to 1886. Among the coins were a number of Office of Price Administration rationing tokens dating to World War II as well as bus tokens from the defunct Salina Transit Company. Money was found stashed in cans and boxes throughout the cluttered home. Hubbard's purse, which also contained $100 in cash, was found untouched near her body.
Investigators say there were no indications that the home, which was filled with numerous miscellaneous household items, trash, and other clutter, had been ransacked and they were not able to determine if anything was taken.
At the time of her murder, Nellie owned a few rental properties in Salina. Police interviewed her tenants, but were not able to connect any of them to the crime.
In 1984, Salina Police interviewed serial killers Ottis Toole and Henry Lee Lucas in regards to Nellie's case, but they were quickly dismissed as suspects after questioning.
In November 1982, the case was the first to be featured in the Salina/Saline County Crime Stoppers program.
If you have information or tips on Nellie Hubbard's case please call Salina Police at 785-826-7210. If you want to stay anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 785-825-8477.
