Case File 999UMIN
Reconstruction of Victim
Unidentified Black Male
- The victim was discovered on October 18, 1983 in Lake Village, Newton County, Indiana
- Estimated Date of Death: 1982-1983
- Skeletal Remains
Vital Statistics
- Estimated age: 15-20 years old
- Approximate Height and Weight: 5'10 to 6ft; 140-160 lbs.
- Clothing: Levi jeans, red and white belt with the word "DEVIL" on it, gold belt buckle with the word "JEANS" on it, Hush Puppy style boots with a side buckle.
- Distinguishing Characteristics: Black, close cropped hair. Light to average build
- Dentals: Available
Case History
Victim of Larry Eyler, a Crawfordsville native who confessed to murdering nearly two dozen young men in the Midwest in the early 1980s. He was dubbed the "Highway Killer" because of where most of his victims' bodies were found -- left in locations between Eyler's two residences in Terre Haute and Chicago. His path often followed U.S. 41 in Indiana and Interstate 57 in Illinois.
Five victims have been found in Newton and Jasper counties, all linked to Eyler. Eyler would take victims from southern Indiana and bury them in northern Indiana -- and vice versa -- to avoid detection. This man was picked up hitchiking in July 1983 near the intersection of US 41 and 63 near Terre Haute, Indiana in Virgo County.
This victim had been drugged, bound and stabbed to death then buried in a shallow grave. Mushroom hunters found him on an abandoned farm property near Sumava Resorts on October 18, 1983, along with three others. Two of them were identified after families came forward, and dental records were matched. Eyler, who was convicted of murder and other charges in Illinois and Indiana, died while in custody in Illinois of AIDS-related complications in 1994.
Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Newton County Coroners Office
219-285-2515 or 219-964-9872
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.
Agency Case Number:
56-09-Adam83/NamUs UP#6011
Source Information:
NamUs