In the annals of cold cases that continue to baffle law enforcement and the public, the murder of Lowell Badger stands out for its tragic nature and the profound impact it left on a small Indiana community. The unsolved killing of this 85-year-old retired farmer has remained a topic of speculation and sorrow in Sullivan County since its occurrence in December 2012.
Who Was Lowell Badger?
Lowell Badger, a respected and well-liked figure in his community, lived a life marked by hard work, family values, and kindness. A retired farmer, he was known for his dedication to agriculture and his community. Living alone since the passing of his wife, Badger was an independent and active senior, involved in local church activities and often seen enjoying conversations with neighbors and friends.
The Day of the Crime
The grim reality of the morning of December 8, 2012 unfolded when Lowell Badger’s son, who regularly visited his father, arrived at Lowell’s rural home. Expecting a routine check-in, he was instead met with a scene that would forever change the fabric of the Badger family and the Merom community. Upon entering the house, he found his 85-year-old father, Lowell Badger, dead. Badger’s son quickly alerted the authorities, who arrived at the scene to begin their investigation. The Sullivan County Sheriff's Office, along with the Indiana State Police, responded to the call. They found Lowell Badger's body, and it was evident that he had been shot.
As law enforcement officials surveyed the scene, it became clear that this was not just a case of a sudden natural death. There were apparent signs of a break-in and robbery. The home showed indications of having been searched, with items strewn about. Most notably, a safe belonging to Badger, which was known to contain valuables and a significant amount of money, was missing, as was his television.
Autopsy and Forensic Findings
The autopsy, conducted shortly after Lowell Badger's body was discovered, confirmed that Badger’s cause of death was gunshot wounds, a finding integral to establishing the case as a homicide. At the crime scene, forensic teams worked meticulously to gather any potential evidence. This included looking for fingerprints, DNA samples, footprints, and other traces that could be linked to a suspect. The challenge was that the rural setting of the house and the nature of the crime left limited forensic evidence. Evidence of the break-in was closely examined. Investigators looked for signs of forced entry, which were apparent, and tried to ascertain how the intruder(s) had gained access to the home.
One of the most critical aspects of the investigation into Lowell Badger’s murder was the focus on the missing safe and other items from his home, which provided key insights into the nature and motive of the crime. The safe that was missing from Lowell Badger’s residence was not just a minor detail but a central piece of the investigation. It was known to contain important personal documents, valuables, and a substantial amount of money. The safe’s significance lay in its contents, which suggested a strong robbery motive for the crime. Its size and weight indicated that removing it from the house would have required significant effort, possibly involving more than one person, or someone who had carefully planned the theft.
Along with the safe, a television set was also reported missing from Badger’s home. The theft of an easily marketable item like a television further supported the theory that the crime involved a robbery component. Investigators considered the possibility that the television was stolen either as an afterthought or as part of a planned burglary.
Despite the thorough forensic examination, the initial analysis did not yield any definitive leads. No fingerprints or DNA evidence conclusively pointed to a suspect, which added to the complexity of the investigation. The lack of clear forensic leads was a significant hurdle for investigators, who then had to rely more heavily on community tips, interviews, and other investigative methods.
The murder of Lowell Badger remains a painful and unresolved chapter in the history of Sullivan County, Indiana. It is a reminder of the fragility of life and the impact of crime on a community. For the family of Lowell Badger and the residents of Merom, the hope for answers and justice persists, a testament to the enduring nature of their quest for closure and the memory of a man whose life was tragically cut short.