Iowa cops probing claims man is America's most prolific serial killer start ... trends now
Police investigating allegations a farmer in Iowa murdered up to 70 women and dumped their bodies in a well are testing soil at the property in Iowa.
Lucy Studey McKiddy, 53, claims that her father, Donald Dean Studey, was a serial killer who forced her and her siblings to dump the bodies of women he killed into a 100ft well.
She said that Studey, who died in March 2013 aged 75, was 'routinely drunk' and liked to kill women by smashing or kicking in their heads inside a trailer.
Investigators believe his daughter's claims, which would make Studey one of the most prolific serial killers in American history.
Authorities have swooped on farmland in Iowa previously owned by Donald Studey, who died in March 2013 aged 75, after his daughter claimed that he murdered at least 70 women
According to his daughter Lucy, she and her siblings did their father's bidding when he told them to 'go to the hills' because they were terrified they 'wouldn't come back'
Local, state and federal law enforcement officials made their way to the area where Studey claims the women were buried to begin collecting dirt samples to test for human remains.
Witnesses claimed to see at least 15 vehicles arrive in the area before blocking it off adding that they brought a piece of heavy equipment with them.
Sources told Newsweek that the plan was to bore into the week where McKiddy claims the bodies were buried as well as digging and testing for possible shallow graves on the land.
McKiddy said ‘finally’ when told the news on Tuesday and said she has pushed for an investigation for at last 45 years.
She added: ‘I hope that the authorities dig in the right locations and find all the bodies.’
Fremont County Sheriff's Office, the Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation and the FBI were unavailable for comment.
Witnesses claimed to see at least 15 vehicles arrive in the area before blocking it off adding that they brought a piece of heavy equipment with them
The FBI and Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation are both assisting the local police force with the investigation
Deputy Sheriff Tim Bothwell said that McKiddy had previously told them about her father's alleged history in 2007 – which prompted them to excavate a portion of the property.
The process cost the county more than $300,000 but deputies are now planning a second excavation after they searched land behind the Studey property.
Cadaver dogs alerted at least four spots on the property, with the last getting multiple 'hits' in the area surrounding the well.
McKiddy has been accused of giving ‘conflicting claims’ surrounding her father, with her elder sister Susan denying the allegations against their father.
Susan told Newsweek. said: ‘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.
‘He was strict, but he was a
