VERMILLION CO. — A missing person investigation launched by the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department has escalated into a murder case, leading to the arrest of a Clinton man.
Vermillion County Sheriff Mike Holtcamp requested detectives from the Indiana State Police (ISP) Putnamville Post to investigate the missing person case, which was reported on October 5, 2025, in Clinton, Indiana.
During the course of the investigation, ISP detectives uncovered criminal activity and determined that the missing person had been murdered.
ISP detectives arrested Nicholas Yates, 20, of Clinton, in connection with the crime. Yates was taken into custody without incident and is currently being held at the Vermillion County Jail on a charge of murder.
The identity of the deceased is being withheld pending identification by the Vermillion County Coroner’s Office. Officials stated that this identification process may take several weeks.
The investigation is active and ongoing, with detectives Colton Maynor, Don Curtis, James Crisp, and CSI Sergeant Tim Rader of the ISP Putnamville Post leading the case. Assisting agencies include the Vermillion County Sheriff’s Department, Conservation Officers of the Department of Natural Resources, and the Vermillion County Coroner’s Office.
Under the law, criminal charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
