Police May Have Solved 1981 Griffith Cold Case

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GRIFFITH, Ind. — More than 40 years after the man was found dead in Griffith, police believe they have solved the cold-case murder of John Blaylock.

Officers say the 51-year-old Blaylock was found partially naked and beaten to death at his apartment on November 3rd, 1981. Prior to his death, he had been seen with another man at a local bar.

Unfortunately, the case went cold for decades. Then, Detective John Mowery Jr. – whose father had participated in the initial investigation – began looking into the killing in 2018.

Thanks to investigative work and modern DNA technology, Gregory Thurson has been charged with murder. Thurson had been living in Oregon, and is currently being held at the Lake County Jail.