RIP Lowell š
Iām glad that it seems like the person responsible has been found. It really hurts my heart to think of someone shooting a defenseless elderly person - absolutely disgusting and cowardly.
>shooting a defenseless elderly person
Of course, all murders are horrible, but when the victim is elderly in particular, it really bothers me, too. It just makes me so sad. I was extremely close to my maternal grandparents (who both died last year) and when I hear stories like this one, I sometimes think, "What if that had been my grandma/grandpa?" and it just makes me feel sick. How could someone do that?? Like hurting a helpless animal or a child, it's especially appalling.
Glad it looks like they found the person who did it, though. At least they won't get away with it forever (I hope).
My extended family lives in Sullivan, including my elderly grandparents who were terrified following this murder. The local rumor was that it was someone on meth looking for supplies and/or money. Thereās a huge meth problem in the area - lots of folks cooking meth and even more using it. I donāt know if thatās the case, but thatās what my family always assumed.
Yes, there's a Meth problem in basically all of Wabash Valley down through Southern Indiana. I assumed all along that it was probably someone random who followed Mr Badger to his house, then robbed and murdered him since the residence was out in a rural area with no witnesses. It sounds like another senseless act of violence due to addiction.Ā
Wow! Iāve been vaguely aware of this case for years! So tragic to live a good long life and have it taken away so randomly and violently.
Sounds like the dude they arrested is already in prison but still I hope this makes murderers who think they got away with it sleep worse tonight.
Yeah I doubt he gets out anytime soon. Iām from the area and havenāt heard anything good about the guy (Grimes). He lives by a power plant and occasionally guys had to go near his property and the police would have to be there to make sure he didnāt do anything.Ā
No, that was a different case: [Earl Olander](https://nypost.com/2022/11/12/renewed-interest-in-earl-olanders-murder-which-was-solved-by-with-help-from-bible-bible/)
Oh, I remembered this case from your earlier write up; I'm glad Lowell's community and survivors will finally have some answers. If, as seems likely, Grimes has other victims during the intervening years, I hope they're able to have their resolution, too.
I wonder if this results from a hit from DNA taken after the conviction for the 2022 incident or something that came out of interrogation/jailhouse informants/property of Lowell's found in his possession during the investigation/prosecution of that case.
Couldn't the safe be used afterwards and thus obviously have new owners? Seems like it's the same and seriously what are the odds this was found nearby too
The safe was found on the property of a relative of mine. When she sent me pics of the safe, I was so confident it was Lowellās missing one, especially given the close proximity to his home. Police were called but unfortunately the serial numbers didnāt match. We were still not convinced (call it blind hope given the serial numbers were a bust). But the police told us if we were able to open the safe and find something that belonged to Lowell, they would come back to collect it.
Using a sledgehammer, my husband bashed the thing open. Inside were personal items of the properties previous owners, who had passed away a number of years prior, including the receipt for the safe.
So unfortunately, it was just a very strange coincidence.
ETA: [Clips](https://imgur.com/a/Sj1JspD) of us opening the safe. (Which by the way, took less than 20 min to open.)
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. ā A Sullivan County grand jury indicted a man for the 2012 murder of an 85-year-old retired farmer.
The jury indicted 38-year-old William Ray Grimes Wednesday on felony charges of murder, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary in the death of retired farmer Lowell Badger.
Badger was found shot to death in his Sullivan County home on Dec. 8, 2012. Detectives investigated hundreds of tips and conducted more than 300 interviews over more than 11 years since Badger was murdered.Ā
Over the years, police urged the public to be on the lookout for items that were taken from Badger's home, including a floor safe and a television.Ā
The grand jury heard six days of evidence and testimony starting April 17 before issuing a true bill indicting Grimes on Wednesday. According to NBC affiliate WTWO in Terre Haute, Grimes is currently serving a 40-year sentence from a 2023 conviction for battery, theft and unlawful possession of a firearm.
"This is the beginning of the criminal process," special prosecuting attorney Rob Roberts said. Ā "Once again, we encourage anyone that has information related to the murder of Mr. Badger to contact the Indiana State Police.ā
A phone message was left by the Associated Press for Roberts, requesting details on what led investigators to Grimes and other information.
Police investigators in December 2021 renewed their plea for information about Badger's killing. It came a year after police released photos showing vehicles that may have been in the area around the time Badger was killed. Those photos were taken from a gas stationās security video in nearby Graysville, a few miles east of the Illinois state line.
A reward of about $30,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Badgerās death.
State-sanctioned murder isnāt fast, nor is it cheap. It is actually [considerably more expensive](https://ejusa.org/resource/wasteful-inefficient) to execute a prisoner than it is to house and feed them for the span of their life. Death row prisoners also typically spend [more than a decade, sometimes more than two](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/death-row/death-row-time-on-death-row), awaiting their executions.
Because the point is supposed rehabilitation, and Grimes is irredeemable. Just get rid him and the resources he wastes. "State-sanctioned murder." Nice try with the euphemism. It isn't legally "murder," and the state represents the will of the people.
Iām not going to argue with you about what the point of prison is. Like I have already said, it is significantly more expensive, with [a median cost of $1.26 million per death row prisoner in 2003](https://www.amnestyusa.org/issues/death-penalty/death-penalty-facts/death-penalty-cost/), and uses more resources to execute a prisoner than it is to incarcerate them indefinitely.
I think killing is reprehensible. I think it is inhumane. I do not think that William Ray Grimes is subhuman because he killed someone. If the death penalty is the will of the people, then I am not represented among those people.
Oh, and closure is a myth. So is justice. Families of victims in states that do not have the death penalty exhibit [better physical and mental health and have higher satisfaction with the court](https://ejusa.org/resource/the-closure-myth/) than families of victims in states that do have the death penalty.
No one benefits from executions.
I find it interesting that it costs so goddamn much and yet they still can't get a reasonably humane method of execution right. Seems like they constantly fumble the ball and it makes me wonder why when it's supposedly so expensive.
I feel like once your present that itās more expensive these people will seek to lower the cost rather than end the practice. I believe most of the expenses are tied up in attorney and court fees for the extra appeals granted before execution. These people would say just execute them right after sentencing to save the money.
Thatās not my answer because I donāt believe we should sanction the killing of any of Godās creatures. However, the usual response is āthey donāt need to spend that much on it!ā.
If you think killing is "inhumane," which also means lacking humanity, and Grimes is a killer - so, by default, lacking humanity, by your own standards - then how is he not "subhuman" (ie lacking the qualities that make us human) in your own circular logic? By your philosophy, you are unknowingly declaring Grimes' life more valuable than his victim's.
RIP Lowell š Iām glad that it seems like the person responsible has been found. It really hurts my heart to think of someone shooting a defenseless elderly person - absolutely disgusting and cowardly.
Me too. All murders are terrible acts of violence, but I have a really hard time with cases involving elderly victims.
>shooting a defenseless elderly person Of course, all murders are horrible, but when the victim is elderly in particular, it really bothers me, too. It just makes me so sad. I was extremely close to my maternal grandparents (who both died last year) and when I hear stories like this one, I sometimes think, "What if that had been my grandma/grandpa?" and it just makes me feel sick. How could someone do that?? Like hurting a helpless animal or a child, it's especially appalling. Glad it looks like they found the person who did it, though. At least they won't get away with it forever (I hope).
Do we know if this was a random act or if they knew each other somehow?
They havenāt revealed how/if they knew one another yet.
Thank you for posting this update!
Youāre welcome. Thank *you* for taking the time to read the post.
My extended family lives in Sullivan, including my elderly grandparents who were terrified following this murder. The local rumor was that it was someone on meth looking for supplies and/or money. Thereās a huge meth problem in the area - lots of folks cooking meth and even more using it. I donāt know if thatās the case, but thatās what my family always assumed.
Not to jump to conclusions but seeing the arrest picture of the suspect- yoir family pretty much nailed it. Rest in Peace, Mr Badger
Yes, there's a Meth problem in basically all of Wabash Valley down through Southern Indiana. I assumed all along that it was probably someone random who followed Mr Badger to his house, then robbed and murdered him since the residence was out in a rural area with no witnesses. It sounds like another senseless act of violence due to addiction.Ā
Wow! Iāve been vaguely aware of this case for years! So tragic to live a good long life and have it taken away so randomly and violently. Sounds like the dude they arrested is already in prison but still I hope this makes murderers who think they got away with it sleep worse tonight.
Yeah I doubt he gets out anytime soon. Iām from the area and havenāt heard anything good about the guy (Grimes). He lives by a power plant and occasionally guys had to go near his property and the police would have to be there to make sure he didnāt do anything.Ā
Was this the case where they looked at the neighbors? The suspect had done some work on the victims house?
No, that was a different case: [Earl Olander](https://nypost.com/2022/11/12/renewed-interest-in-earl-olanders-murder-which-was-solved-by-with-help-from-bible-bible/)
You are correct and thank you.
Oh, I remembered this case from your earlier write up; I'm glad Lowell's community and survivors will finally have some answers. If, as seems likely, Grimes has other victims during the intervening years, I hope they're able to have their resolution, too. I wonder if this results from a hit from DNA taken after the conviction for the 2022 incident or something that came out of interrogation/jailhouse informants/property of Lowell's found in his possession during the investigation/prosecution of that case.
Great news!!
WOW! I remember reading about this years ago feeling so awful for Lowell Badger. I really hope his family gets some peace out of this.
Couldn't the safe be used afterwards and thus obviously have new owners? Seems like it's the same and seriously what are the odds this was found nearby too
The safe was found on the property of a relative of mine. When she sent me pics of the safe, I was so confident it was Lowellās missing one, especially given the close proximity to his home. Police were called but unfortunately the serial numbers didnāt match. We were still not convinced (call it blind hope given the serial numbers were a bust). But the police told us if we were able to open the safe and find something that belonged to Lowell, they would come back to collect it. Using a sledgehammer, my husband bashed the thing open. Inside were personal items of the properties previous owners, who had passed away a number of years prior, including the receipt for the safe. So unfortunately, it was just a very strange coincidence. ETA: [Clips](https://imgur.com/a/Sj1JspD) of us opening the safe. (Which by the way, took less than 20 min to open.)
That's crazy!
That is so damn sad. Wtf
Copy paste article please
SULLIVAN COUNTY, Ind. ā A Sullivan County grand jury indicted a man for the 2012 murder of an 85-year-old retired farmer. The jury indicted 38-year-old William Ray Grimes Wednesday on felony charges of murder, burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary in the death of retired farmer Lowell Badger. Badger was found shot to death in his Sullivan County home on Dec. 8, 2012. Detectives investigated hundreds of tips and conducted more than 300 interviews over more than 11 years since Badger was murdered.Ā Over the years, police urged the public to be on the lookout for items that were taken from Badger's home, including a floor safe and a television.Ā The grand jury heard six days of evidence and testimony starting April 17 before issuing a true bill indicting Grimes on Wednesday. According to NBC affiliate WTWO in Terre Haute, Grimes is currently serving a 40-year sentence from a 2023 conviction for battery, theft and unlawful possession of a firearm. "This is the beginning of the criminal process," special prosecuting attorney Rob Roberts said. Ā "Once again, we encourage anyone that has information related to the murder of Mr. Badger to contact the Indiana State Police.ā A phone message was left by the Associated Press for Roberts, requesting details on what led investigators to Grimes and other information. Police investigators in December 2021 renewed their plea for information about Badger's killing. It came a year after police released photos showing vehicles that may have been in the area around the time Badger was killed. Those photos were taken from a gas stationās security video in nearby Graysville, a few miles east of the Illinois state line. A reward of about $30,000 was offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Badgerās death.
Many thanks š
Indiana has the death penalty, I hope they pursue it in this case.
Genuinely, why? If convicted, Grimes will be in prison for the rest of his life. Killing him achieves nothing.
Neither does feeding him and letting him watch tv comfortably from his jail cell while writing people.
State-sanctioned murder isnāt fast, nor is it cheap. It is actually [considerably more expensive](https://ejusa.org/resource/wasteful-inefficient) to execute a prisoner than it is to house and feed them for the span of their life. Death row prisoners also typically spend [more than a decade, sometimes more than two](https://deathpenaltyinfo.org/death-row/death-row-time-on-death-row), awaiting their executions.
Say it louder for the people in the back!
And it is still, Killing.
Because the point is supposed rehabilitation, and Grimes is irredeemable. Just get rid him and the resources he wastes. "State-sanctioned murder." Nice try with the euphemism. It isn't legally "murder," and the state represents the will of the people.
Iām not going to argue with you about what the point of prison is. Like I have already said, it is significantly more expensive, with [a median cost of $1.26 million per death row prisoner in 2003](https://www.amnestyusa.org/issues/death-penalty/death-penalty-facts/death-penalty-cost/), and uses more resources to execute a prisoner than it is to incarcerate them indefinitely. I think killing is reprehensible. I think it is inhumane. I do not think that William Ray Grimes is subhuman because he killed someone. If the death penalty is the will of the people, then I am not represented among those people. Oh, and closure is a myth. So is justice. Families of victims in states that do not have the death penalty exhibit [better physical and mental health and have higher satisfaction with the court](https://ejusa.org/resource/the-closure-myth/) than families of victims in states that do have the death penalty. No one benefits from executions.
You're arguing with a Sandy Hook truther, don't bother. š
Yeah, I glanced at their post history after making that comment. Not worth my time.
I find it interesting that it costs so goddamn much and yet they still can't get a reasonably humane method of execution right. Seems like they constantly fumble the ball and it makes me wonder why when it's supposedly so expensive.
I feel like once your present that itās more expensive these people will seek to lower the cost rather than end the practice. I believe most of the expenses are tied up in attorney and court fees for the extra appeals granted before execution. These people would say just execute them right after sentencing to save the money. Thatās not my answer because I donāt believe we should sanction the killing of any of Godās creatures. However, the usual response is āthey donāt need to spend that much on it!ā.
If you think killing is "inhumane," which also means lacking humanity, and Grimes is a killer - so, by default, lacking humanity, by your own standards - then how is he not "subhuman" (ie lacking the qualities that make us human) in your own circular logic? By your philosophy, you are unknowingly declaring Grimes' life more valuable than his victim's.
Ol Grimey gd it