Corrections Employee Lorena Yanira Schulte

Lorena Yanira Schulte

Nurse Lorena Schulte and Correctional Officer Robert McFarland were assaulted and beaten to death by two inmates in the Anamosa State Penitentiary infirmary during an escape attempt.

The inmates had developed a ruse to gain access to the infirmary by claiming to be there as part of the prison repair program. Once inside, they attacked Nurse Schulte and Officer McFarland with hammers, inflicting fatal skull fractures on both. Another inmate inside the infirmary attempted to protect Nurse Schulte and Officer McFarland but was also attacked and suffered a skull fracture.

The two inmates then attempted to use a grinder to break through the exterior window and protective bars but were unsuccessful. They briefly took another nurse hostage before fleeing back into the prison, where they were subdued. The two inmates had been serving lengthy sentences for robbery convictions. Both were subsequently charged with first-degree murder, attempted murder, and abduction. Both inmates were sentenced to life in prison for the two murders.

Nurse Schulte was in a position that gave her primary responsibility for the custody and security of convicted criminal offenders.

Nurse Schulte had served with the Iowa Department of Corrections for 14 years. She is survived by her parents, two sisters, a brother.