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.