DAVENPORT, Iowa (KCRG) – Search crews recovered the bodies of three victims who died in the partial collapse of a Davenport apartment, city officials confirmed Monday. Crews recovered the bodies of 42-year-old Branden Colvin Sr., 51-year-old Ryan Hitchcock and 60-year-old Daniel Prien. Colvin’s body was found on Saturday. Davenport Police Chief Jeff Bladel said Hitchcock’s body was found on Saturday at 12:25 p.m. and the body of Prien was found at 2:30 a.m. on Monday. Autopsies are expected to be conducted on all three of the victims. The collapse happened on May 28 at an apartment complex called The Davenport.
DES MOINES, Iowa (KXEL) – As officials were announcing the recovery of the bodies, the first of what could be several lawsuits by building residents and their families was filed. Dayna Feuerbach, a tenant in The Davenport, is accusing the city and the building’s current and former owners of knowing of the worsening conditions and failing to warn residents of any risk. The lawsuit alleges negligence and seeks unspecified damages.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The attorneys for a University of Iowa fraternity are seeking a change in venue. Phi Gamma Delta (known as Fiji) is facing a lawsuit after a woman claims two of its members raped her. The fraternity’s lawyers said it wouldn’t be possible to get a fair trial in Johnson County. Specifically, they said jurors would fear being “canceled” for giving a verdict. They also argued that the woman who filed the lawsuit has turned herself into a public figure, and has too much of a following in Johnson County.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – The Cedar Rapids teen who admitted to killing his parents in 2021 will stay in prison at least until he’s in his sixties. Ethan Orton was sentenced to life in prison Monday afternoon. He is eligible for parole after 50 years. Orton entered a guilty plea in March to charges of stabbing his parents, Misty Scott-Slade and Casey Orton, to death in their home. Under Iowa law, first-degree murder means life in prison without the possibility for parole. The exception is for juvenile defendants. Orton was five months away from being 18 at the time of his crime. How long until he would be eligible for parole was the question at the center of Monday’s sentencing. The defense asked for life with the possibility for parole after ten years, but the judge believed Orton’s age, maturity, and home life weren’t strong mitigating factors. Both sides’ expert witnesses agreed Orton is a good candidate for rehabilitation and treatment while in prison.
