Vermillion/Montgomery Counties-DNA results from the Indiana State Police Laboratory have confirmed the identity of a body found in a trailer in Montgomery County on June 15 of this year. The deceased male has been identified as Shane L. Sowers, age 41, with last known address as 218 North 6th Street in Clinton, Indiana.
The decomposition of the body had prevented a positive identification of the deceased. The results of the June 16th autopsy were inconclusive and the cause of death was undetermined.
The investigation is ongoing. No obvious signs of foul play were found, but foul play has not been ruled out.
The case originated on June 15 when a relative was attempting to dismantle the trailer to salvage scrap metal. During the process, he discovered a body among the rubbish in one of the rooms. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office initially arrived and requested assistance from detectives from the Lafayette State Police Post. During the investigation, officers determined that on June 10 of this year, the trailer was brought to the Ladoga address from property just west of 215 North 6th Street, Clinton, IN. Investigators also found the City of Clinton had notified the owner of the trailer in early June that the trailer needed to be vacated from the property. Collectively, the information brought in investigators from the Putnamville State Police Post as Clinton (Vermillion County) lies within the Putnamville District and the trailer was removed from Clinton.
The continuing investigation is being conducted by ISP Detective Tony Guinn. Assisting are ISP Detective First Sergeant Jeff Hearon, Detectives from the ISP Lafayette Post, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office, and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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