Montgomery County—Indiana State Police detectives from the Lafayette Post, with the assistance of the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, continue to investigate the death of Samuel H. Kessler,  age 94, of 8737 East State Road 234, Ladoga, IN. Mr. Kessler was found deceased in his bedroom by a business acquaintance shortly before noon on January 29th.

An autopsy was performed on January 30, 2012 at Terre Haute Regional Hospital by Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr. Montgomery County Coroner David Hunt has released the Manner of Death as “Homicide” and the Cause of Death as a gunshot wound. To protect the integrity of the investigation the caliber of the ammunition and the location of the gunshot wound will not be released..

First, investigators believe the death of Mr. Kessler occurred sometime between the hours of 7:00 p.m. and 12:00 a.m. (midnight) on Saturday, January 28th.  Evidence at the scene and the subsequent autopsy results has led detectives to this investigative theory.

Secondly, police are continuing to seek information on a dark-colored, full size pickup truck, allegedly seen in the victim’s driveway during the early to mid evening hours of Saturday, January 28th.

Ladoga area residents who were in the area of the crime scene, 8737 East State Road 234, or out and about in the town of Ladoga, are urged to recall their activities on the evening of January 28th and attempt to remember any suspicious person(s), suspicious vehicle(s), or “anything out of the ordinary”.

Questions can be directed to ISP Sergeant Kim Riley at 1-800-382-7537.

Several tips from the public have been received and state police investigators continue to pursue the many pieces of information provided by citizens. Anyone with information in this case is urged to contact First Sergeant Tom McKee, Detective Jay Harper or Detective Gregg Edwards of the Indiana State Police in Lafayette at 765-567-2125. Remember, no tip is too small.

No other information will be released at this time. Additional information will be released when it is appropriate and does not hinder the integrity of the investigation.