Found beside a corn rake, Iowa son Trysten Mullis fights to prove father didn’t kill mother

A discovery at the farm

Trysten Mullis lived with his parents, Todd and Amy, and younger siblings Taylor and Wyatt on a 400-acre Iowa farm. The family grew soybeans and corn and raised pigs.

On the morning Amy died, Trysten carried heaters through the hog barn while Todd worked on water pipes and Amy cleaned lights. Trysten recalled that his mother seemed unsteady as she climbed down from a bucket.

From emergency to murder trial

Todd and Trysten put Amy in a truck and called 911 as they drove to the hospital. Amy’s family described her as vibrant and remembered her as a close friend and relative.

Trysten said he and Todd first thought Amy had accidentally fallen onto the rake. Less than a year later, Todd was on trial for her murder. Dr. Kelly Kruse testified that Amy had six puncture wounds in two directions. Kruse said the injuries suggested Amy had been impaled by the rake at least twice, and possibly three times.

Investigators examine the marriage

Retired Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation agent Jon Turbett said he believed Todd attacked Amy in the red barn. He also said investigators learned the marriage had problems beneath its outward appearance.

Amy was having an affair, and her brother Jeff Fuller said she was unhappy and intended to leave Todd. Turbett said her wish to end the marriage became a significant part of the suspected motive.

At trial, Patricia Christopherson testified that Amy had told her she feared Todd would kill her if he learned about a divorce or affair. Investigators also found searches concerning unfaithful wives and the killing of cheating wives at different points in history.