Man Who Said Wife Fell on Corn Rake Convicted of Her Murder

He claimed his wife died after she fell backward on a corn rake while working on the family’s farm. Prosecutors said inconsistencies in the pattern proved the injury wasn’t an accident. He’s now serving life without parole in an Iowa prison. As is the case with most crimes, a few supporters contend that Todd Mullis, 43, did not kill Amy, 39.

Amy Mullis Found Injured by Corn Rake

November 10, 2018, was a chilly fall day in Earlville, Iowa, a quiet rural town about an hour’s drive from Cedar Rapids. But life doesn’t stop on the farm. Todd Mullis and his 13-year-old son, Trysten, worked in the hog barn preparing for a delivery of piglets.

Trysten’s mom, Amy, was recovering from a medical procedure days earlier. Nonetheless, she continued working around the barn, cleaning lights and other equipment. He noticed that she seemed disoriented and shaky as she worked. Todd noticed as well and suggested that Amy go inside to lie down. First, he asked her to bring him a pet carrier from a nearby shed.

About an hour and a half later, Todd checked for the pet carrier, but did not find it. He asked Trysten to go check on his mom in the shed. There, he found his mother crouched facedown with a cornrake sticking from her back. Trysten “freaked out” and screamed for his dad.

Todd removed the rake from his wife’s back, carried her out of the shed, and put her in the truck. Trysten called 911, and the three headed toward the hospital.  The 911 dispatcher instructed Todd to pull over and perform CPR. Minutes later, paramedics took over. Sadly, Amy was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Todd told authorities that Amy fell backward onto the corn rake while doing farm chores. It was a sad accidental death. Everyone believed his story at first. Farms harbor many hazards, even seemingly safe items like rakes. Accidents happen; why would Todd want his wife dead and his teen son to find her in such a horrific condition?

Medical Examiner, Forensic Pathologist Determined Amy's Death Was a Homicide

Medical examiners would soon question the truth of Todd’s accident theory. Medical examiners noticed that Amy had six puncture wounds in her back. Each wound was distinct. The problem? The corn rake only had four metal tines. How could Amy acquire six wounds if she fell backward? 

The puncture wounds did not align with how the rake’s tines were aligned. Some wounds pointed upward, some downward. The exam found injuries on Amy’s hands, knees, and chin, all inconsistent with an accidental fall.

The Medical Examiner ruled Amy’s death a homicide, not an accident.

Investigation Reveals Amy's Affairs

Investigators looked at Todd and Amy’s marriage. They soon learned the couple might not have been as happy as they presented to the world.

Amy allegedly had an affair in 2013 and was seeing someone else when she died in 2018. She told family and friends she could not stand Todd’s jealous and controlling behavior. A friend of Amy’s described her marriage to Todd as “more like captivity than a partnership.”

Todd feared divorce, not because of his love for his wife or desire to make their union work, but because of the cost. As a wealthy farmer, he had a lot to lose. He feared Amy would take millions from him if they split.

Todd Mullis Arrested For First-Degree Murder

By September 2019, authorities had enough evidence to arrest Todd for Amy’s murder. Prosecutors contend that Todd used the corn rake to fatally wound his wife. He staged the scene to look like an accident.

Forensic evidence concluded the puncture wound pattern was inconsistent with an accidental fall.

It took a jury less than eight hours to find Todd guilty of his wife’s murder. His motive? To stop Amy from leaving him and taking his financial wealth. He was sentenced to a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

Some people within the true crime circle believe Todd Mullis is innocent. They think Todd was busy working, and his wife’s death was a tragic accident. He has filed post-conviction relief with the help of Attorney Tara Thompson. She claims “science” will prove his innocence.

Sources/More Information:

https://www.courttv.com/news/corn-rake-murder-trial-todd-mullis-seeking-new-trial-in-wifes-death/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TOfj7rwdtQ8