The Murder of Gregory May: Betrayal, Missing Antiques, and A Small-Town Mystery Ends in Tragedy
Gregory May was a 56-year-old tattoo artist and antiques dealer with a passion for Civil War memorabilia. He had recently moved to Iowa and was living with his friend, Douglas DeBruin, and DeBruin’s girlfriend, Julie Miller. When May suddenly vanished, those close to him knew something was wrong—especially when his rare and valuable antiques started popping up in estate sales and being donated to museums. Gregory was known for being deeply attached to his collection, and it made no sense for him to part with it.
As police dug deeper, suspicion turned to the people he trusted the most. Investigators uncovered a web of deceit and betrayal that ultimately led to Douglas DeBruin’s arrest. DeBruin tried to shift the blame, claiming Julie Miller had committed the murder alone. But the evidence told a darker, more complicated story. In a horrifying twist, Gregory’s severed head was later found inside a bucket—a gruesome discovery that stunned the community and shocked the nation.
This unforgettable episode explores the disturbing psychology behind the crime, the twisted motives involved, and the justice that followed.
