Another Suspect Charged in Cold Case of Retired Indiana Farmer’s Death

Authorities have charged a second individual in connection with the 2012 murder of a retired farmer, whose body was discovered in his western Indiana residence. On Tuesday, a judge issued an arrest warrant for Richard D. Taft, 39, on one count of murder along with two charges of burglary resulting in bodily injury in relation to the death of 85-year-old Lowell Badger, according to the Indiana State Police.

Currently, Taft is serving time at the Michigan City Correctional Facility for unrelated drug offenses. Online court records do not indicate that he has retained an attorney to represent him in this matter.

This development follows the indictment of another inmate, William Ray Grimes, who was charged in April with murder, burglary, and conspiracy to commit burglary in connection with Badger’s death. Grimes is scheduled to go on trial in October.

Badger was killed during a burglary at his rural Sullivan County home, located roughly 30 miles south of Terre Haute, in December 2012. His body was found on the bedroom floor, and a 46-inch television along with a safe had been stolen from the premises.

Court documents reveal that on December 7, 2012, during a gathering, Grimes, Taft, and an uncharged accomplice discussed their plan to break into a house in search of money, as reported by WTHI-TV.

After the burglary, Grimes, Taft, and the unnamed individual returned to the party with a flat-screen television in the bed of a truck. Witnesses recounted that during a car ride afterward, Taft became emotional and expressed regret, stating he “did not want to hurt like the old man had been hurt.”

Following Badger’s murder, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office engaged in extensive search efforts. They utilized aircraft, all-terrain vehicles, boats, and even SCUBA divers to comb the area for evidence related to the crime.

A reward of approximately $30,000 had been established to encourage information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Badger’s tragic death.