Billings Double Murder Remains Unsolved 45 Years Later

The Yellowstone County cold case of George Heinrich and Marlene Mazzola remains one of the most haunting double homicides in Billings history—still unsolved more than four decades later.

A Night Out Ends in Tragedy

On the night of September 21, 1980, 42-year-old Marlene Mazzola and 57-year-old George Heinrich spent their evening dancing at the Elk’s Club in Billings. They left the club around 1:30 a.m. and returned to Heinrich’s home on Highway 312 near Shepherd.

The Gruesome Discovery

The following afternoon, Heinrich’s 17-year-old adopted daughter, Peggy Heinrich-Wash, arrived at the home and discovered both bodies in the master bedroom.

George was found face down on the floor with a pillowcase over his head and his hands bound behind his back with electrical tape. Peggy didn’t enter the room far enough to see Marlene, but investigators later confirmed both had been beaten, bound, and strangled.

No Sign of Forced Entry—Except One Room

The rest of the house showed no signs of disturbance. Only the master bedroom appeared to have been forced open. The door was smashed, and it looked as though it had been barricaded or held shut.

Police believed the killer or killers may have entered through the garage, where Heinrich’s keys were found lying outside the connecting door.

Stolen Valuables and a Missing Car

Several personal items were taken, including a diamond ring worth $16,000 at the time, a Masonic ring, and a clock. Mazzola’s 1979 Pontiac LeMans was also taken from the home and later found abandoned at the now-closed East Parkway Husky Truckstop in the Heights.

A Suspicious Vehicle and Unanswered Leads

Investigators were told that a red pickup truck without a tailgate was seen heading toward Heinrich’s home around 2 a.m. on the night of the murders. While this sighting became a key lead, it ultimately led nowhere.

At the time, police in Butte also joined the investigation briefly since Mazzola was separated from her husband, a local auto shop owner. However, that line of inquiry also failed to turn up any solid evidence.

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A Call for Closure

Decades have passed, but the cold case remains open. The Yellowstone County Sheriff’s Department continues to seek information. If you know anything related to the deaths of Marlene Mazzola and George Heinrich, call 406-866-3530 or 406-245-6660. Tips can remain anonymous.