Overview of Clarence and Marjorie Paulson (2 of Clubs, Minnesota)
This episode of The Deck revisits the long-cold disappearance of Clarence and Marjorie Paulson/Poulsen, a father-daughter pair from rural Minnesota who vanished in July 1984 and were later found murdered in 1990 beneath an abandoned farmhouse. What began as a missing persons case eventually turned into a homicide investigation centered on family tension, a troubling local acquaintance, and the lingering question of where the killings actually happened.
Case Background
- Victims: Clarence, 59, and Marjorie, 34
- Location: Rural Cass County, Minnesota
- Disappearance: Sometime in July 1984
- Bodies discovered: December 15, 1990
- Discovery site: Beneath a dilapidated farmhouse on remote property in Maple Township
Clarence and Marjorie lived together on a secluded 80-acre property. Clarence was a World War II veteran with serious mental health issues and a guardian managing his finances. Marjorie, who had cognitive impairments, had recently moved in with him. The pair were reclusive but known in the community, and their absence initially didn’t alarm everyone because they occasionally went off the radar.
What Happened in 1984
- Clarence was last seen around July 13, 1984
- Missing reports were filed about a week later, around July 20
- Their home looked strangely undisturbed:
- Clarence’s plate was still on the table
- Marjorie’s knitting items were left behind
- Cash remained in the house
- Their three-wheeler was still there
Investigators searched the area extensively with:
- Ground searches
- Helicopter sweeps
- A dive search of a nearby lake
At the time, there was no clear evidence of foul play, so the case stalled.
The 1990 Discovery
In December 1990, farmer Eldon Weiss was tearing down an abandoned farmhouse when he found two bodies under the structure. The remains were mummified but identifiable as Clarence and Marjorie.
Autopsy findings
- Marjorie: gunshot wound to the chest
- Clarence: homicidal violence; severe head trauma, possibly from blunt force or a gunshot
This discovery confirmed the case was a double homicide.
Key Clues and Evidence
Investigators found several troubling signs at the Paulson home that had not stood out initially:
- A yard light had been shot out
- Blunt impressions on the front door
- A bullet hole in the kitchen ceiling
- .22-caliber shell casings inside the house
No usable fingerprints or blood evidence were found, and the deteriorated condition of some items has limited forensic testing. More recently, investigators submitted the shell casings for DNA testing, but no profile has been recovered so far.
Suspects and Investigation Focus
Family tension
Detectives initially looked closely at Gerald, Clarence’s son, because of conflict over Clarence’s guardianship and estate. Gerald had previously been removed as guardian after a judge found his accounting questionable. He was eventually ruled out after agreeing to a polygraph.
Main person of interest: “John”
The strongest person of interest became a local man referred to as John:
- Son of one of Clarence’s neighbors
- Known to the family
- Had social contact with Clarence, including drinking together
- Also reportedly had disputes and a bad history with the family
Investigators believe John likely knew:
- The Paulson residence
- The route to the remote property where the bodies were found
They suspect the murder may have occurred at or near the home, followed by transport of the bodies to the final burial site.
Investigators’ Theory
The working theory is that:
- Something violent or possibly sexually motivated may have occurred
- Clarence may have interrupted it
- The situation escalated into homicide
- The killer then cleaned up enough to make it seem like the pair had simply wandered off
- The bodies were hidden in a location the offender knew would not be discovered
The case is further complicated by the fact that:
- The exact day of disappearance is uncertain
- Physical evidence is limited
- Any trial would have to avoid prejudicial references to the suspect’s later criminal history
Current Status
Although investigators believe the case is essentially solved in their minds, it remains uncharged and unsolved in court. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota BCA continue to seek the final piece of evidence that would make prosecution possible.
What investigators still need
- Confirmation of where John was during the week of July 1984
- Any witness or insider information tying him to the crime
- New forensic breakthrough from preserved evidence
Call for Information
Investigators ask anyone with information to contact:
- Minnesota Crime Stoppers: 800-222-8477
- Minnesota BCA tip line: 1-877-996-6222
Main Takeaways
- Clarence and Marjorie disappeared in 1984 and were found murdered six years later.
- The case shifted from missing persons to homicide after bodies were discovered under an abandoned farmhouse.
- Family guardianship conflict and a troubled local acquaintance remain central to the investigation.
- Authorities believe the crime is solvable, but they still lack enough evidence to charge the likely suspect.