MCS Report #178
Classification: Homicide
Requesting Agency: Granite City Police Department
Date of Activation: 05/03/1990
Commander and Department: Sgt. Stephen Nonn, Madison County Sheriff’s Dept
Deputy Report Officer and Department: Lt. Otto Jakob, St. Clair County Sheriff’s Dept
Victim: Lydia E. Powell
Suspect: Robert E. Colwell
The Granite City Police Department requested the assistance of the Major Case Squad in investigating the death of Lydia Powell (age 81). At approximately 9:30pm, police officers responded to a residence in the 2500 block of Iowa Street for a report of a possible burglary and homicide. There they located Lydia Powell inside her residence. She had been shot and was pronounced dead on scene.
As a result of this investigation, Lydia’s stepson, Robert Colwell (age 65), was charged with 1st Degree Murder. His bond was set at $500,000.
