Des Moines Woman Suzette Rae Gums Killed; Walter Bickham Charged

DES MOINES, Iowa — Authorities have identified Suzette Rae Gums, 52, as the woman found dead following a suspicious incident in Des Moines on Wednesday evening. The Des Moines Police Department and Fire Department were called to the 1500 block of Capitol Avenue around 5:25 p.m. after receiving reports of a medical emergency. Upon arrival, first responders found Gums in cardiac arrest. She was transported to a nearby hospital, where she was pronounced dead.

The investigation quickly shifted when authorities noticed a laceration on Gums’ leg that caused severe blood loss, raising concerns about the nature of her death. Des Moines Police later determined that her death was the result of a violent domestic altercation. As a result, her death was classified as a homicide.

Police took 58-year-old Walter Bickham into custody at the scene in connection with Gums’ death. According to a criminal complaint, Bickham stabbed Gums during a domestic dispute and failed to call 911 or offer any form of assistance after the attack. This negligence, combined with the fatal injuries, led to Bickham being charged with second-degree murder.

Bickham, who remains in custody at the Polk County Jail, is being held on a $1 million cash-only bond. Authorities continue to investigate the full details of the incident, but initial reports suggest the altercation turned violent, leading to Gums’ fatal injuries. Police have not yet released further information regarding the motive or the events that led up to the altercation.

The Des Moines community has been shaken by the tragic loss of Gums. Domestic violence is a troubling issue, and cases like this highlight the need for continued efforts to prevent these tragedies from occurring. Support services and hotlines are available to assist those experiencing domestic violence.

Bickham’s preliminary hearing is scheduled for September 30. The Des Moines Police Department urges anyone with additional information related to the case to come forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. As the community awaits further updates, many are left mourning the loss of Gums and questioning how such violence could have erupted.