The Tragic Case of Amy Mullis: Unraveling Mystery and Pursuing Justice

Trysten Mullis Reflects on His Childhood

Trysten Mullis recounts his upbringing on a 400-acre farm in Iowa, where his family cultivated soybeans and corn and raised pigs. The farm’s operation was a collective effort involving Trysten, his siblings Taylor and Wyatt, and his parents Todd and Amy. As Trysten navigates memories of his childhood, he notes the nostalgia and peacefulness associated with his time on the farm.

The Day Amy Mullis Died

On a routine morning in November 2018, Trysten, at 13 years old, joined his parents as they prepared for a shipment of baby pigs. While his sister and brother stayed indoors, Trysten assumed the task of moving heaters within the hog barn. Amy cleaned the glass light fixtures, standing on a bucket to reach them.

“She was getting down kind of slow,” Trysten reflects, noting his mother’s dizziness and unsteadiness.

Concerned due to a recent medical procedure Amy underwent, Trysten and Todd assisted her in returning to the house to rest. However, they asked her to retrieve a pet carrier from the shed en route.

Discovery in the Red Shed

Trysten discovered his mother on the ground, impaled by a corn rake, when he went to fetch the pet carrier from the shed. Todd and Trysten hastily transported Amy to the hospital, calling 911 en route. Tragically, Todd informed his children that Amy did not survive her injuries.

The Investigation

Initially deemed an accident by Todd and Trysten, Amy’s death was later classified as a homicide by the state medical examiner, Dr. Kelly Kruse. She cited multiple puncture wounds, indicating that Amy was impaled with the rake at least twice. Investigators considered Todd a suspect due to Amy’s affair and her intention to divorce him. Google searches regarding unfaithful spouses found on Todd’s iPad suggested premeditation.

Trysten Mullis at Trial

Trysten, being the only other person aside from Todd on the farm that day, played a key role in Todd’s alibi. While Trysten initially claimed he stayed with his father throughout the morning, prosecutors noted he lost sight of Todd twice for brief intervals, which was crucial for their hypothesis.

Defense Strategy and New Evidence

Todd’s defense focused on insufficient time for him to commit the murder unnoticed. Trysten’s recollection reinforced this, as Todd would have needed to traverse and return unnoticed. Todd’s defense later argued he was pressured to testify the way he did.

With the help of new attorneys, expert analyses reframed Amy’s death as a possible accident. Forensic Pathologist Dr. Jennifer Hammers and biomechanical engineer Dr. Valentina Ngai studied the evidence. Contrary to prior conclusions, they proposed that Amy’s injuries resulted from a series of falls on the rake, exacerbated by her movements in attempting to free herself.

Seeking a New Trial

Todd’s defense pushed for a retrial, providing new evidence to argue ineffective counsel during the original trial. Throughout the hearing, experts supported the accidental death theory. Todd Mullis saw his children for the first time in six years during the proceedings.

An Iowa judge ultimately denied Todd a new trial, maintaining the original conviction was fair, with Dr. Kruse’s testimony deemed credible.

Continued Pursuit for Justice

Despite the ruling, Todd’s attorneys, supported by defense experts, continue to challenge the conviction. They aim to present their findings to an appellate court, determined to prove Todd’s innocence through scientific analysis.

Trysten Mullis, having lost both parents, remains resolute in his fight for justice. He expresses unwavering determination to exonerate his father and uphold Amy’s memory.

Produced by a dedicated team, this story first emerged at CBS News at 9:59 p.m. on Oct. 17, 2026.