More than three decades after a woman’s body was found along a creek bank in Black Hawk County, Iowa, authorities have charged a Minnesota man with her murder. Kelly Grant, 59, of Bertha, Minnesota, has been charged with first-degree murder in the 1995 death of Angela “Angie” Renee Buck, whose body was discovered on August 11, 1995, in what investigators classified as a homicide — advancing a 31-year cold case that spanned generations of investigators, according to PEOPLE.
TL;DR: Kelly Grant, 59, of Bertha, Minnesota, has been charged with first-degree murder in the August 1995 shooting death of Angela “Angie” Renee Buck, 37, whose body was found near a creek in Black Hawk County, Iowa. Two turtle hunters discovered her body along the creek bank near a bridge. Investigators from Iowa and Minnesota worked the case for decades before Grant’s arrest in October 2026. He is being held without bond.
A Body Found Along the Creek
On August 11, 1995, two people hunting turtles made a grim discovery along a creek bank near a bridge in Black Hawk County, Iowa: the body of a woman later identified as Angela “Angie” Renee Buck, 37. An autopsy determined that Buck had died from a gunshot wound, and investigators classified her death as a homicide.
In the rural landscape of northeast Iowa, where creeks wind through farmland, the discovery shocked the local community. But in 1995, the case went cold — and stayed cold for more than three decades, becoming one of Iowa’s long-running unsolved homicides.
What Investigators Say Happened
According to the criminal complaint, witnesses reported that Buck and Grant had been together at a residence before an argument allegedly took place. One witness told investigators that Buck was forcibly taken from the home and placed in a vehicle — a detail that, if proven, could be central to the prosecution’s case.
The complaint’s account suggests the killing grew out of that confrontation. Grant, who was in his late twenties at the time, is now accused of shooting Buck and leaving her body near the creek where the turtle hunters would find it.
Decades of Investigative Work
The case never fully went away. Investigators from Iowa and Minnesota worked together across decades, pursuing leads and re-examining evidence as forensic techniques improved and new witnesses came forward. Their persistence culminated in Grant’s arrest in October 2026 — 31 years after Buck’s death.
Cold cases like this one are often solved through a combination of advances in forensic science, fresh witness cooperation, and the refusal of investigators to let a file gather dust. The collaboration between Iowa and Minnesota law enforcement over such a long span speaks to the dedication of the detectives who kept Buck’s case alive.
Grant is being held without bond in Minnesota as the case proceeds. The murder charge is an allegation; he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
A Family’s Long Wait
For the family and loved ones of Angela Buck, the arrest marks the first major development in a case that has haunted them for 31 years. Buck was 37 when she died — a life cut short in circumstances that remained a mystery for longer than many of today’s investigators have been on the job.
As the case moves forward, the focus will turn to the evidence prosecutors intend to present, including the witness accounts described in the criminal complaint. For now, the arrest represents a significant milestone in one of Iowa’s longest-running homicide investigations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was charged in the 1995 Iowa murder?
Kelly Grant, 59, of Bertha, Minnesota. He has been charged with first-degree murder in the 1995 death of Angela “Angie” Renee Buck.
Who was the victim?
Angela “Angie” Renee Buck, who was 37 when her body was discovered near a creek in Black Hawk County, Iowa, on August 11, 1995. An autopsy determined she died from a gunshot wound.
How was Buck’s body discovered?
Two people hunting turtles discovered Buck’s body along the creek bank near a bridge in Black Hawk County, Iowa.
What does the criminal complaint allege?
Witnesses reported Buck and Grant had been together at a residence before an argument allegedly took place. One witness told investigators Buck was forcibly taken from the home and placed in a vehicle.
How long was the case cold?
More than 31 years. Buck was killed in August 1995, and Grant was arrested in October 2026.
Who worked the investigation?
Investigators from Iowa and Minnesota worked together on the case across decades, and their efforts led to Grant’s arrest in October 2026.
Is Grant in custody?
Yes. Grant is being held without bond in Minnesota as the case proceeds.
Has Grant been convicted?
No. The first-degree murder charge is an allegation; he is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
