The cold case murder of Jodie Bordeaux and baby - Powhattan, Kansas - November 21, 1997
Update: We recently received tips in this case. These have been passed on to the team in charge of the case.
On the night of November 21, 1997, police received a shocking report that a pregnant woman had been shot dead after someone shot through the window from outside. Emergency services quickly arrived at the farmhouse in the Kickapoo Indian reservation in Powhattan and rushed the victim to the hospital to try to save the unborn baby. Unfortunately, doctors were unable to save her babygirl there.
The woman killed was 28-year-old Jodie Bordeaux. Her husband Shawn told police present that he and his wife had heard their dog barking at an unfamiliar presence that night. As he followed the pet to the back porch, an unknown assailant started firing into their house with a high-powered rifle out of nowhere. Jodie was standing by the window in the bedroom at the time when she was hit in the head by one of the bullets.
About Jodie Bordeaux
Jodie Bordeaux and Shawn, who was part Lakota Indian, lived on a small ranch on the Kickapoo Indian Reservation in Powhattan. Until her firing shortly before the murder, the couple worked for the Indian casino Golden Eagle, where they were part of the management team that ran the casino. This gambling paradise generated millions of dollars in revenue and many jobs for the people of the local tribe. Part of her job was for Jodie was to report on employee work and behavior. The couple had recently been trying to start a family, and after several miscarriages and meeting with a fertility expert, they were finally expecting their first child, a girl who would be named Jordan Shay.
Jodie, who had been fired six months before her death over a complaint against her from a former employee, sought to regain her position at the casino. It looked like management was considering taking her back. The ex-employee was himself fired by Jodie's reports, which described his bad attitude and tardiness. In retaliation, he had told management about the days when Jodie was late for work because of appointments with her fertility specialist. Apparently it didn't matter that she had worked longer those same days, she was fired. Nevertheless, she had a good chance of being rehired.
Police Investigation
Hoping for clues, police spoke to husband Shawn. He said that he and Jodie were married in 1995 in South Dakota, and that through a relative they got a golden chance at a good job at the new Golden Eagle casino in Kansas. The fact that two outsiders and non-members of the local tribe had been given these two good positions in management had, according to Shawn, caused some resentment among some. Nevertheless, they were very happy and looking forward to their first child. Shawn told the detectives about the ex-employee and Jodie's firing. He told police that since his wife was rumored to be rehired at the casino, they had been receiving disturbing anonymous calls for weeks, and that Jodie was also certain that someone was watching them from outside the house. She would sometimes hear noises at night, and Shawn would try to reassure her. The police acquitted him and did not suspect him to have been involved in his wife's death at any time.
The police spoke to many residents in the hope that someone had seen something that evening, but it turned out not to be. No one had seen or heard anything. They spoke to many people in their investigation who they thought might have something to do with the murder, but this resulted in no arrests. According to some, the police had three suspects, but in the end they did not get the evidence. This may have been partly due to the fact that many Native Americans had (justified) distrust of local law enforcement. Presumably some kept their lips tight for that reason.
Police assumed the killer was an acquaintance of Jodie's, and related to an act of revenge against her for firing someone from the casino. That could be the troublesome employee, or another former member of staff. After all, she had often had the task of hiring or firing people in her position. Investigators believed that two or more persons may have been involved in the murder.
The murder weapon has never been recovered. The police did find numerous shell casings that matched the bullet holes in the house. And while Shawn recalled hearing a car tear away as he attended to his shot wife, we don't know if police found tire tracks or anything of interest.
Tips and Information
This horrible murder of mother and daughter can be solved with help from the tribe. Are you someone who knows more about this case? Put any conflicting feelings aside and let us know now. Please do it for the justice of these two people, and for the bereaved who must live in great sorrow every day. Don't hesitate and get in touch now (anonymously) using the form below.
This goes without the interference of the police, and entirely through our editors. If you would like to remain anonymous, do not enter your name and e-mail address. We ensure that your information ends up in the right place with the appropriate cold case team.
Please help and share this page, especially if you live near by Kansas.