SUSPICIOUS DEATH OF CEDAR RAPIDS MAN NOW RULED A HOMICIDE

The death of a Cedar Rapids man, originally deemed “suspicious” has now been ruled a homicide.

According to a media release from the Cedar Rapids Police Department on Friday, May 22, the department received a request for a welfare check because the person who lived at 508 B Avenue Northwest could not be reached. The request came into the police at 9:53 a.m. Friday, May 22. When an officer arrived at the address, they could see a person on the floor inside. After making their way into the home, the officer determined the victim was deceased.

This morning, the victim was identified as 69-year-old Daniel J. Spangler. The Iowa Office of the State Medical Examiner in Ankeny did an autopsy over the weekend and determined Spangler had died of a gunshot wound. His death has been ruled a homicide.

An online tribute to Spangler described him as “a gifted musician, (a) devoted family man who made everyone feel loved and special, a retired RN who cared deeply for humanity, and an adventurous spirit who lived life to the fullest. So much to say of his character; so much I can learn from him as I remember his life and the impact it had on all those who knew him.”

According to Cedar Rapids Public Safety Coordinator Greg Buelow, Daniel Spangler’s death is the seventh homicide in Cedar Rapids in 2020. The Cedar Rapids Police Department continues to investigate.