40 years ago: Local families struck by tragedy in triple homicide

From the Lawrence Daily Journal-World for March 29, 1973:

Today began the long investigation into a triple homicide that occurred south of Ottawa, Kansas. Franklin County authorities this morning were following up on the discovery of three bodies found in a parked car. The victims were Hazel Avery of Lawrence, her son Steve, formerly of Lawrence and recently of Iola, and Steve’s friend Gary Longfellow of Lawrence. Some details emerged over the next few days, including the caliber of gun used, the lack of robbery as a motive, and the discovery of the car keys on a nearby creek bank, but the murder weapon was not found and no suspects were named in spite of thorough searches and interviews. As of 2013 the case is still listed as unsolved, much to the frustration of surviving family members and local and state investigators.