Jay Durnil, 11, was last seen on April 29th, 1976 biking to the Elkhorn River in his family’s neighborhood near Waterloo, Nebraska. Jay’s dog Tex returned home that night but Jay was never seen alive again. Jay’s case was handled as an accidental drowning until his body surfaced in a different river 21 days later, with clear signs that he’d been murdered.
Courtesy of Nebraska State Patrol
Episode Info
If you have any information about the 1976 murder of 11-year-old Jay Durnil near Waterloo, Nebraska, call the Douglas County Sheriff’s Office and ask for Captain Eric Sellers. They are also interested in speaking with anyone who knew or came in contact with John Raven anytime in 1976 or after. The phone number for the office is 402-444-6000.
Douglas County Sheriff’s Captain Eric Sellers looks through an investigative file about the Jay Durnil homicide on May 15, 2024 at the DCSO offices in Omaha, Nebraska.
The entrance sign to Riverside Lakes, the community in Douglas County, Nebraska where Jay Durnil was last seen in 1976. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
The Elkhorn River as it appeared in May 2024, looking down from the Riverside Lakes neighborhood. This vantage point is not the approximate location where Jay Durnil had his treehouse. That coordinate is unknown. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
Douglas County Sheriff’s Capt. Eric Sellers and Deputy Mike DeChellis discuss Jay Durnil’s case with audiochuck reporting staff in May 2024. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
A photo of Wanda (Durnil) Novack’s book, which includes a chapter about Jay’s murder. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
A sketch in the Durnil case file. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
A photo Wanda included in her book of her and Jay. Photo taken by audiochuck staff
A wanted poster in the case file. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
A wanted poster in the case file. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
A sketch in the Durnil case file. Courtesy: Douglas County Sheriff’s Office
Episode Source Material
- Never Say Can’t, a memoir by Wanda Novak.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska): Boy’s body found via Newspapers.com.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska): Mrs. Durnil: Slayer probably got others via Newspapers.com.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska): Officers ready sketch of slaying suspect via Newspapers.com.
- Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska): Mother of missing boy now offering $25,000 via Newspapers.com.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska): Jay Durnil obituary via Newspapers.com.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska): Jay Durnil, a boy at boys’ play via Newspapers.com.
- Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska): Lawmen from three states discuss slayings via Newspapers.com.
- Lincoln Journal Star (Lincoln, Nebraska): Suspect in 1975 fair murders being brought back to Lincoln via Newspapers.com.
- Omaha World-Herald (Omaha, Nebraska): Deputy: Hobo tells of Omaha visit via Newspapers.com.