Midwest Murder Mystery

When I moved to Muncie, Indiana, I was elated to discover that there was more to do than where I’d lived before (which was quite deep into the country.) Everywhere I turned, there was an easily accessible fast food place or little oddball shop to check out. Did you know Garfield creator Jim Davis is from Muncie? You even see him around town on occasion. Additionally, David Letterman went to Ball State University in Muncie and even has a mailbox specifically for him downtown. Last I heard, a building was being named after him as well.

It wasn’t until later that I began unearthing information about cold cases, horrific murders in what I saw as a happy, safe little town that could take care of one another. Due to having a natural interest in anything beyond what I would consider "normal", the idea of cold cases and unsolved mysteries fascinated me. Of course, I think we all hope that someday we can put the questions of the losses to rest, but some things are left a little too thin on the evidence.

I searched through local history until I landed on one story in particular: The deaths of Kimberly Dowell and Ethan Dixon.

It’s almost midnight, September 28, 1985. A K-9 officer steps through freshly fallen snow as he walks his companion for the shift, having to turn back to the vehicle after being radio’d about a noise complaint. As the officer reaches his squad car, he notices a fresh track of tire truck in the recently accumulated powdery snow around them. Following his instincts, he’s led to a vehicle parked where people usually park just to enjoy themselves. Typically young couples not looking to cause much trouble. The engine of the car is still idling. He opens the driver door only to behold two youthful souls, his flashlight revealing the bullet wounds that took their lives too soon.

So what happened to Kimberly Dowell and Ethan Dixon?

The Happy Couple

Kimberly, a fifteen-year-old cheerleader with a bright future ahead, was partnered with Ethan, a sixteen-year-old Class President who showed a great deal of promise in his own path. They were a dream couple, academically successful and beautifully in love. Their parents held prestigious positions and everything seemed perfect and according to plan. They were the type of people you’d see married as high school sweethearts and acting as such all the way until the natural deaths they should experience. Instead, at Westside Park in Muncie, Indiana, Kimberly and Ethan’s lives were taken from them too soon to experience everything life owed them.

Even investigators said there was no rhyme nor reason to their deaths. They had everything going for them. Who would have a motive against two sweet, well-educated humans who had a lot to offer our world?

The Crime

Ethan and Kimberly were shot to death on September 28, 1985. Ethan had been shot in the torso one time, where Kimberly suffered her death by one bullet into her left temple. A third bullet shattered the passenger side window.

Their bodies were discovered by Officer Terry Winters at 11:50 p.m. on the same day the couple’s lives were taken. It is also said that Ethan had a gun holster on him, but the gun was missing from it.

Witnesses reported that three people were near the vehicle after the shooting, which led to no concrete knowledge or suggestions as to who may have killed the young teenagers. Investigators uncovered evidence that the assailant shot their targets from a short distance based on the gun powder on Ethan. Deputy Chief Marvin Campbell insisted that the killer must have been someone who knew them in order to get so close, yet this would also turn into another theory that wouldn't pan out.

Where’s the Killer?

Police gathered a handful of suspects but none of them seemed to fit what little knowledge of the suspect was had well enough. For example, the driver of another car became a suspect who was spotted in Westside Park the night Ethan and Kimberly were killed. Interest was lost quickly, though, with no useful information coming out. Another was a “cross-town rival” who notoriously did not get along with Ethan. Accusations of prior altercations arose, but none were able to be verified as having occurred. Next came Kimberly’s stepfather, but was eventually released as a suspect (who later claimed that the rumors of his involvement ruined his life.) The final potential suspect was a member of a Dungeons and Dragons group Ethan participated in, but authorities dismissed this quickly as it was nothing more than a wild assumption.

Otherwise? There are no other suspects. We don’t have any witnesses or evidence who can suggest the killer of teenagers Kimberly and Ethan.

Ethan's Best Friend

Tom Spurgeon, a well-known friend of Ethan Dixon, had nothing but praises for his late best friend.

"He was real smart. Very charismatic. He was class president. He was very solicitous, very loyal to his friends and a lot of fun."

Even more chilling, Tom had this to say when recalling seeing photo evidence of the crime scene:

"Visible in the back was a boombox of the kind Ethan owned. I started going over it in my mind. There was no reason to think he would be there. It wasn't a big parking place for anyone in my peer group."

Men Who Wanted to Know More

Keith Roysdon (and Douglas Walker) have written 34 stories for a “Cold Case Muncie” series, having spent a great deal of time and passion in cold cases, unsolved crimes, and anything mysterious that catches their attention. The deaths of Kimberly Dowell and Ethan Dixon became a project for the two gentlemen, which led them to write the book that addresses the case in much more detail.

To avoid unlawful obtaining of the information we’d all love to have, they sought surviving witnesses and anyone who might have had an understanding of something that happened the fateful night of September 28, 1985. Public court records assisted this journey as well, along with investigators willing to provide the knowledge of what paths had already been taken (including their outcomes). Keith and Douglas were given a lot to go on in order to seek justice and understanding for the young dream couple.

The book goes into much better detail, and can be purchased here.

What Breaks My Heart the Most

These two were young, doing their best to be the best types of humans this world needed. What is it that lingers in a killer's heart that makes these realizations become meaningless as they cruelly rip life away from bodies and happiness from dozens more people all at once. What kind of monster does it take to approach two happy, bright children and end everything for them?

Furthermore, the monster never came forward. The monster can't possibly admit that they ruined so many people's lives while completely eliminating two potentially amazing lives. What is it that makes someone do this? Especially to kids. They never even had a chance.

Let us hope that peace is found, for all our sake.

So What Next?

Until someone comes forward with solid evidence or is somehow still alive and finds the courage to speak up and bring peace to the families of Kimberly Dowell and Ethan Dixon, their passing remains a mystery to us all.

However, an interesting thing to consider is that Tom mentioned it being unusual that his best friend would park in a place that is not popular amongst their social groups. What led Ethan and Kimberly to that location? Were they escorted there, or was it a spontaneous decision?

Another interesting note: why did Kimberly's stepfather grow so outspoken about having his life ruined by being suspected and investigated? What was the purpose of his release of such information to the public? It's an interesting thing when you consider the actions of a guilty party. Often, I've seen guilty parties press themselves amongst other "victims" in order to manipulate themselves into believing that they've acted out of kindness and truly are victims. An innocent party would be burdened with accusations, but I do not envision an innocent party speaking with the media about emotional backlash.

Kinda makes you want to think just a little bit more about things that feel a little off about this situation.

In the meantime, fellow true crime fanatics can read through all available information about the loss of young Kimberly and Ethan through resources linked at the bottom of the article. In case you didn't get enough here, check out this YouTube video that discusses the case.

CW: Discusses homicide/murder, violence, abuse.

What can we do now?

Light a candle, send them your love, read, remember them, and most importantly: analyze this case, because you might be the one who finds the answer that was there all along!

If you have any relevant information that could help solve the case, please contact the Muncie Police Department in Muncie, Indiana.

(765) 747-4890

Oh, and one more thing...

Never stop sharing stories like these. You never know if you're the one who will close a case and bring peace to others.

Resources for my article are as follows:

The Muncie Star Press Newspaper

The Muncie Star Press Newspaper

Crime Capsule

Crime Reads

This article is written in honor of Renee, my soul momma who shared a love for murder mystery, mayhem, and madness with the enthusiasm of a youthful spirit. We miss you, Mistress of Madness.