Second Man Arrested in Killing of Retired Indiana Farmer Over 10 Years Later

Mar. 15, 2025

Lowell R. Badger.Photo:Indiana State Police

Indiana State Police

A second arrest has been made in connection to the 2012 death of a retired Indiana farmer.

Nearly 12 years after85-year-old Lowell R. Badger was found dead on the bedroom floor of his rural Sullivan County homeon Dec. 8, 2012, Richard D. Taft, 39, has been arrested in connection to the case and charged with murder and two counts of burglary resulting in bodily injury, the Indiana State Police announced in apress release.

Lowell R. Badger.Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office/Facebook

His latest charges come three months after a grand jury indicted William Ray Grimes in connection to Badger’s death. Grimes was charged with murder, burglary, and conspiracy to commit burglary following six days of evidence and testimony in April,the Indiana State Police previously announced.

“This is the beginning of the criminal process. Once again, we encourage anyone that has information related to the murder of Mr. Badger to contact the Indiana State Police," special prosecuting attorney Rob Roberts said in a statement at the time.

William Ray Grimes.Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office

Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office

The Indiana State Police previously announced thatBadger “died as a result of a gunshot wound suffered during a burglary of his residence.”

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In hisobituary, Badger was remembered as an active member of Kingsley Memorial UMC since 1960. He also served for 28 years on various committees and boards at the Sullivan County Credit Union, 40 years with the Island Levee Conservancy District, and eight years as District 7 Director of Farm Bureau.

source: people.com