ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – St. Louis County officials released new details in a 45-year-old cold case involving the murder of Margaret Walsh. The 47-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed on the evening of April 23, 1980, inside the Dairy Queen on Clayton at Clarkson where she worked as a night manager. The store’s office was ransacked, and cash was stolen.

Walsh left behind three children, who were 16, 18, and 21 years old at the time of her death. She also worked as a secretary at Parkway South Middle School.

Despite reopening the case in 1991, 2006, and again in recent years, no arrests have been made. Police are calling it an active investigation and are hopeful that someone might still provide the crucial information needed to solve the case.

A high-profile volunteer

Former St. Louis County Police Chief Tim Fitch has been volunteering to work on this case for Ellisville. This is the only murder to ever occur in the town. Her three children are all deceased now, and an ex-husband who has also since passed away. Her boyfriend at the time is also now deceased.

Margaret was working at the Dairy Queen that evening, with three Lafayette High School students who were helping her close up for the night. The last of the teen employees left at around 10:30 p.m., and that left her at the shop alone. There is a record of her clocking out close to 11 p.m., but she never arrived at her home.

Her body was discovered at around 7 a.m. the next day by the co-owner of the restaurant. Margaret’s car was still there, and her body was found with a gunshot wound in the back office area.The office had been ransacked.

The evidence

Major Case Squad investigators were called to help solve the crime. Fitch reviewed the evidence they collected and believes that Margaret was confronted by someone when she tried to leave the restaurant. Margaret had already dropped the money from that day into the safe and did not have the combination to open it. They were able to take off with around $150 in money left in the register.

Why was Margaret killed for $150? Fitch believes that Margaret may have known the shooter or that the robber may have wanted to eliminate the only witness.

The case has been reopened several times over the last four decades. Investigators say that Maurice Oscar Byrd may have been the suspect in this crime. He admitted to the Pope’s Cafeteria murder and was later put to death by the state of Missouri. But Byrd has never been connected to Margaret’s murder.

Byrd worked as a St. Louis University security guard at the time of the murder. Records show that he was at work at the time of the murder. It would have been difficult for him to drive to the Dairy Queen to commit the crime and return to work.

How you can help

“This case is personal. We have fresh eyes and new tools, time can change what people remember and what they’re willing to share. Maybe you were young, maybe you were scared. Now is the time to speak,” said Tim Fitch, investigator, Ellisville Police Department.

Police are asking for the public’s help to catch the killer. Evidence in the case has been preserved, and new technology can help solve the crime. You can submit a tip through the St. Louis area CrimeStoppers to remain anonymous and be eligible for a reward, call 1-866-371-8477.