OOLITIC — Three years after a local man was found shot to death in his home along the banks of Salt Creek, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is issuing a renewed plea for public assistance to break the case open.
James Stewart was discovered fatally wounded on Friday, Feb. 24, 2023, inside his camper located near the intersection of Lafayette Avenue and Oolitic Road.
While the initial 911 call suggested a possible suicide, responding deputies immediately noted inconsistencies at the scene that pointed toward foul play. Stewart died from a gunshot wound.
What began as a death investigation quickly transitioned into a full-scale homicide probe. Indiana State Police crime scene technicians joined Lawrence County detectives, spending several days meticulously processing the camper and the surrounding wooded area for physical evidence.
In the years since, the Sheriff’s Office reports that investigators have dedicated hundreds of hours to the case. Their efforts have included the ongoing examination of cell phone records, social media activity, and GPS data. Continuous testing of DNA and ballistics evidence as forensic technology evolves. Dozens of individuals have been interviewed and re-interviewed to verify timelines and alibis.
Stewart’s camper was situated on the south edge of Oolitic, an area frequently used by locals for fishing and access to Salt Creek. Because of the location’s proximity to Oolitic Road, investigators believe someone may have seen an unfamiliar vehicle or suspicious activity during the late-night hours of Feb. 23 or the early morning of Feb. 24, 2023.
With the case reaching its three-year mark, detectives are emphasizing that even the smallest details could help clarify what happened and finally bring closure to Stewart’s family.
Authorities have not yet released specific details regarding suspect descriptions, potential witnesses, or a precise timeline leading up to the shooting to protect the integrity of the ongoing investigation. However, they are encouraging anyone who was in the vicinity of Salt Creek, Lafayette Avenue, or Oolitic Road around the time Stewart was found to come forward—even if they have already spoken with investigators in the past.
For students and young workers in the community, investigators note that sharing what you may have heard or seen—without contributing to or posting rumors on social media—is one of the most effective ways to help move a cold case forward.
If you have any information regarding the death of James Stewart, please contact Detective Andrea Tedrow at the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office at 812-275-3316 or leave an anonymous tip at Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-TIPS (8477) or 1-800-262-TIPS.
Callers can remain completely anonymous while helping provide justice for the Stewart family.
