Last of Decorah area woman’s killers is released from prison

A man convicted of murdering an Iowa woman in 1994 has been released from prison.

Derek Smith was one of four people convicted in the death of Decorah area native Rebecca Schnitzler Hauser in Marshall County, Iowa. He is the final prisoner of the four convicted of her murder to be released.

State records show Smith was granted work release in November, and got out of prison in December. He had previously been denied parole in September when his brother, Burt, was granted parole.

According to the Iowa Board of Parole, Derek Smith appealed the board’s decision in September. He was designated a lower level of supervision upon further review that he had completed requirement treatment. .

Rebecca Hauser, the daughter of Donald and Carol Schnitzler of rural Decorah, was slain in her car in rural central Iowa by a group of young men posing as law enforcement officers in October 1994.

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Stephen
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1 year ago

Our courts and government has turned against the people.

Pamela Terry
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Reply to  Stephen
11 months ago

Yes, they have. I no longer feel safe in my own home. The country is about to the cesspool point. I truly fear for our lives.

Chad Willett
Guest
11 months ago

I was sure murder in Iowa is an automatic life sentence. This is troubling.