True crime fans on social media are going wild after a woman made jaw-dropping claims about her father being a serial killer.
Lucy Studey from Iowa claimed her father Donald Studey murdered between 50 to 70 women during the 1980s, and that he sickeningly forced his children to help bury the bodies.
Since Lucy's claims, cadaver dogs used to search for dead bodies have picked up "multiple hits" of suspected human remains at the spots that Lucy mentioned in Tabor, Iowa.
Here's what you need to know about Donald Studey, what his daughter has said as well as what police and FBI have said about the serial killing claims.
Who is Donald Studey?
Donald Studey lived in Tabor, Iowa and had a criminal record crammed with convictions for petty larceny and driving under the influence, according to Newsweek's investigations
Studey died in March 2013 aged 75, and according to Newsweek had been married twice, with both of his wives dying by apparent suicide.
The local authorities were said to fear him and would apparently not visit his home alone, according to sheriff statements.
His daughter Lucy accused him of being "a lifelong criminal and murderer," with Fremont Deputy Mike Wake saying there were often rumours about him in their town.
What has Lucy Studey said about her father?
Lucy Studey has made claims that her father murdered at least around 70 women back in the 80s, during an interview with Newsweek.
She alleged that her father would attack or shoot and stab his victims – whom she claimed were mostly white and in their 20s or 30s– before throwing their bodies into a 100ft well on the Tabor property.
Lucy, who claimed she'd been telling the story since the second grade, said: "I know where the bodies are buried. He would just tell us we had to go to the well, and I knew what that meant. Every time I went to the well or into the hills, I didn’t think I was coming down. I thought he would kill me because I wouldn’t keep my mouth shut."
She added that she'd been trying to tell people about her father for a long time but that "no one would listen to me".
She explained: "All I want is to get these sites dug up, and to bring closure for people and to give these women a proper burial. I don’t feel anything for my father. Nothing at all. I wanted justice when my father was alive, but he’s gone."
However, in another interview with Newsweek, Lucy's sister Susan Studey denied all the claims made by her sister.
Susan said her father was strict but not a killer, adding: "Strict fathers don’t just turn into serial killers... I’m two years older than Lucy. I think I would know if my father murdered. I would know if my dad was a serial killer. He was not, and I want my father’s name restored.”
What have police and FBI said about possible serial killings in Iowa?
Iowa police have already investigated the scene identified by Lucy Studey with two cadaver dogs.
Fremont County Sheriff Kevin Aistrope told Newsweek: "I believe her 100% that there’s bodies in there."
He added: "I really think there’s bones there. It's hard for me to believe that two dogs would hit in the exact same places and be false. We don’t know what it is. The settlers were up there. There was Indian Country up there as well, but I tend to believe Lucy."
The FBI is involved in the investigation, but has not given any statement to the media.
The investigation is ongoing and nothing has been confirmed about Donald Studey or Lucy's claims yet.
