Timothy Minix

UPDATE: The Starke County Prosecutor's Office announced on May 16, a jury found Timothy Minix guilty of Murder, a Felony, regarding the December 2024 murder of his father, Landin Minix.

On Dec. 6, 2024, Starke County deputies made a welfare check on Landin and upon entering the home, authorities found he had a gunshot wound to his forehead, and his face was badly beaten.

Court documents state the scene appeared to have been cleaned up and staged, and the body moved.

Authorities say a .22 caliber revolver was also recovered next to Landin's body, but it was determined the firearm had not been fired.

A NIPSCO representative on scene confirmed to deputies what had been suspected regarding the strong smell associated with natural gas. A gas line had been intentionally cut.

Detectives then learned through family members, during a series of interviews, information regarding the ongoing, "tumultuous relationship" between Landin and Timothy.

During an interview, Timothy confessed to shooting his father and led detectives to the location of the firearm used, a .38 caliber revolver.

Documents state it was later determined through the autopsy of Landin that one of the bullets recovered from his body was from a .38 caliber revolver, the same one Timothy led detectives to in a rural part of North Judson.

A jury trial began on May 14, and Timothy was found guilty of Murder, a Felony, by a 12-person jury of his peers. Timothy also admitted guilt of a Firearm Enhancement.

At trial, Timothy chose to exercise his 5th Amendment right and declined to testify.

Sentencing is set for June 16 at 11 a.m. in the Starke Circuit Court.

The range of penalties for the crime of Murder is 45-65 years, with an advisory sentence of 55 years. The Firearm Enhancement carries an additional penalty of 5-20 years.

ORIGINAL: STARKE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Starke County Sheriff's Office reports deputies responded to the 2600 block of Donna Street in North Judson in an unincorporated area around 6:30 p.m., Dec. 6.

Deputies were responding in reference to a welfare check on a man who hadn't been heard from since Dec. 3.

Deputies say upon arrival they found there to be a heavy gas odor emitting from the home.

Authorities say they then entered the home alongside members of the North Judson Fire Department once it was safe to do so.

Deputies say once inside, they discovered a deceased man, later identified a Landin Minix.

Starke County Sheriff’s Detectives and Indiana State Police then arrived to process the scene.

The report states once on the scene they noticed some discrepancies, and after further investigation detectives obtained more information and identified a person of interest, identified as Timothy Minix, the victim’s son.

Authorities say using several systems, and collaboration with other agencies, detectives identified an address in Fulton County where Timothy was possibly at.

The Starke County Sheriff’s Department Strategic Response Team was then activated and responded to the 4500 Block of Bowen Street in Leiters Ford on Dec. 7.

The team then partnered with the Fulton County Sheriff’s Department, Pulaski County Sheriff’s Department, Rochester Police Department, and the Culver Police Department to approach the home.

The report states officers identified themselves and asked if Timothy was inside.

The residents then told the authorities he was in the bathroom and gave officers’ permission to enter the home. 

Team members entered the bathroom and took Timothy into custody without incident. 

Timothy was taken to the Starke County Justice Center where he was interviewed by detectives. 

Timothy was preliminarily charged with murder, and formal charges will be determined by the Starke County Prosecutor’s Office.