SULLIVAN CO. – Lowell Badger, a retired farmer, was found deceased in his rural Merom home on the morning of December 8, 2012.
Badger’s son found his father. Badger had been shot to death sometime between 8:00 p.m. on Friday, December 7, 2012, and 9:23 a.m. on Saturday, December 8, 2012. He was 85.
The Indiana State Police have continued to work on this case since that day.
Detectives have investigated hundreds of tips, conducted more than 300 interviews, and combed many areas of land and water in the Sullivan County area on foot, with aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, boats, and SCUBA divers.
Over the 11 years since Badger’s death, investigators urged the public to be on the lookout for numerous items taken from the home, including a floor safe and a television.
The safe was a light to medium dark gray, measuring 23 ½” tall, 17” in depth, and 17” wide. It was in pristine condition and manufactured by John D. Brush and Company. The television was a black 46” Sony Bravia LCD screen.
In early 2024, Sullivan County Prosecutor Ann Mischler learned she would need to request a special prosecutor for the case. Special Prosecuting Attorneys Rob Roberts (lead), Dave Powell, and Courtney Lawrence were appointed to the case.
On April 17, 2024, a grand jury was impaneled in Sullivan Superior Court to review the case. After six days of evidence and testimony, the grand jury issued a True Bill (indictments) on Wednesday for the following offenses:
William Ray Grimes, 38, will face charges of murder, burglary, and conspiracy to commit burglary, all Class A felonies.
Grand Jury proceedings are secret by law. No further information regarding the proceedings will be made available.
“This is the beginning of the criminal process,” said Attorney Rob Roberts. “Once again, we encourage anyone that has information related to the murder of Mr. Badger to contact the Indiana State Police.”
