Killing of Isadore Banks in Arkansas in 1954

Incident

Case summary

Isadore Banks (1895 – 1954), a farm owner and veteran, was killed by unknown person(s) in Crittenden County, Arkansas. According to his wife, Banks, who had a significant amount of property and a business in the area, went to pay some of his employees and never returned home. Banks’ body was found with a gunshot wound, burned and chained to a tree. A set of keys, some change and an empty fuel can were found near the body. There were several theories at the time as to why Banks was murdered but no subject was ever identified. An essay on this case, researched and authored by a CRRJ student, is available on request.

Victim(s):

Isadore Banks


Date of incident: 1954-06-04
Location: Marion, Crittenden County, Arkansas
Location type: public space - rural
Allegation against victim: dispute over land; having romantic relations with a white woman

Coroner process
Coroner/inquest: yes
Finding of no legal responsibility: yes

Criminal process
Arrest: [ ]
Charge/indictment/information: [ ]
Grand jury: [ ]
Trial: [ ]
Conviction: [ ]
Sentence: [ ]

DOJ case ID:

144-9-169

144-9-1898


Investigated under the Emmett Till Act: yes
Document(s):
advocacy group resources
census records - closed
court records
death certificates
federal agency records
military documents - closed
news articles - closed
police reports
scholarly works
state agency records
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