The case went cold for decades until 2013
AUDIO: 1977 Indiana Murder Case Solved
ADAMS COUNTY, Ind.–An Indiana murder case from 1977 has been solved after nearly 50 years.
Everett Armstrong, an 84-year-old World War I veteran and banjo player, was found dead in his mobile home with a gunshot wound on August 19, 1977.
In 1981, three people were arrested by the Adams County Sheriff’s Department.
“The initial arrests were made however 6 months after their arrest charges dropped, as it became very clear the 3 suspects had nothing to do with the murder,” said State Police in a Wednesday news release.
The case went cold for decades until the Indiana State Police reopened it in 2013 and identified James A McBride II as the suspect.
McBride confessed to the crime to multiple witnesses shortly after it occurred, matching specific details found at the crime scene. One witness even said McBride showed the gun he used to kill Armstrong.
Although McBride died on June 3, 2024 in Adams County, police have concluded that he was responsible for Armstrong’s murder. The Adams County Prosecutor says if McBride were still alive, he would be charged with the murder of Everett Armstrong.
