Margaret Reimann – Queen of Spades, California

When 73-year-old Margaret Reimann was murdered in her garage while getting ready to leave for church in 1986, everyone immediately started pointing fingers at one particular relative. And in the investigation that followed, detectives uncovered a decades-long family feud, grudges that had been festering for years, and questions about just how far someone might go when there’s money on the line.

But almost four decades later, new DNA testing pointed them in a completely different direction.

And now, the case is hotter than it’s ever been.

Margaret Reimann - Queen of Spades - California - Playing Card

Courtesy of Ventura County Cold Case Unit

Episode Info

If you have any information about the murder of Margaret “Myie” Reimann in November of 1986 in Camarillo, California, please speak up. You can reach Detective Gerardo Cruz directly at (805) 384 – 4726 or by emailing coldcase@ventura.org. If you’d prefer to remain anonymous, you can also call Ventura County Crime Stoppers at (800) 222-8477 or visit www.venturacountycrimestoppers.org to submit a tip via text or email.

A family tree of Margaret Reimann’s family.

A family tree of Margaret Reimann’s family. Graphic created by audiochuck staff.
Margaret Reimann.

Margaret Reimann. Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margaret’s cousin.
Margaret Reimann (right) with her brother Urban (left).

Margaret Reimann (right) with her brother Urban (left). Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margaret’s cousin.
From left to right: Margaret Reimann, Pat Wise, Elaine Wise, Angela Gisler.

From left to right: Margaret Reimann, Pat Wise, Elaine Wise, Angela Gisler. Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margaret’s cousin
From left to right: Margaret Reimann, Mark Wise, Bill Wise, Pat Wise, John Wise, and Angela Gisler.

From left to right: Margaret Reimann, Mark Wise, Bill Wise, Pat Wise, John Wise, and Angela Gisler. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
From left to right: Elaine Wise, Margaret Reimann, and Angela Gisler.

From left to right: Elaine Wise, Margaret Reimann, and Angela Gisler. Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margaret’s cousin.
Margaret Reimann in her home.

Margaret Reimann in her home. Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margaret’s cousin.
Margaret Reimann with her brother, Urban, in her house.

Margaret Reimann with her brother, Urban, in her house. Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margret’s cousin.
From left to right: Pat Wise, Jack Wise, Margaret Reiman, William Gisler, Barbara Kennerly, Mark Wise, and Angela Gisler.

From left to right: Pat Wise, Jack Wise, Margaret Reiman, William Gisler, Barbara Kennerly, Mark Wise, and Angela Gisler. Courtesy: Elaine Wise, Margaret’s cousin.
Anonymous letter sent to the Ventura DA’s office about Margaret’s murder.

Anonymous letter sent to the Ventura DA’s office about Margaret’s murder. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The drumstick Margaret used to latch her garage door.

The drumstick Margaret used to latch her garage door. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The outside of the garage where Margaret’s body was found.

The outside of the garage where Margaret’s body was found. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The padlock used to lock Margaret’s garage doors.

The padlock used to lock Margaret’s garage doors. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
An aerial view of Margaret’s ranch in the 80s.

An aerial view of Margaret’s ranch in the 80s. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The words “take that” written on Margaret’s garage doors.

The words “take that” written on Margaret’s garage doors. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.
The anonymous letter addressed to Barbara Kennerly about Margaret’s murder.

The anonymous letter addressed to Barbara Kennerly about Margaret’s murder. Courtesy: Ventura County Sheriff’s Office.

Episode Source Material

Original reporting by Nicole Kagan