GONTERMAN, George

The Wickenburg Sun, Wickenburg, AZ October 23, 1975, p. 1 Peeples Valley man slain George Gonterman, a retired carpenter who moved to Peeples Valley from Colorado about one year ago, was found dead in home early Monday morning, victim of an unidentified assailant who entered Gonterman’s home and stabbed him 24 times. Authorities say Gonterman died sometime between 8-10 p. m. Sunday night. Gonterman’s 80-year-old wife Velia was sleeping at the time of the attack, said Detective Sgt. Ed Mart, and apparently did not hear anything. Police speculate Gonterman attempted to reach her in her bedroom after the stabbing. His body was found in the doorway between his wife’s room and the hall leading to it. Deputy County Attorney Robert Kuebler said the stabbing took place in the kitchen of the house. The floor and walls of the kitchen were splattered with blood, he added. Yavapai County investigators think the slayer probably entered the house by smashing a window in the back door. They said Monday they have not determined a motive for the killing and do not have any leads as to the assailant’s identity. Twelve of the 24 wounds were described as major. The other 12, Kuebler said were probably “resistance wounds.” Kuebler said he was told by the Yavapai County pathologist that Gonterman probably died from a stab wound in the underside of his left arm. Other major wounds were in the chest and back, Kuebler added.