Man Charged With Murder In IU Student's Death
John R. Myers II, better
Posted: 04/10/2006
Last Updated:
2598 days ago
An Ellettsville man has been charged with murder following a grand jury investigation of the 2000 disappearance and death of Indiana University student Jill Behrman.A six-member grand jury convened in March returned an indictment against John R. Myers II, 30, in the death of Behrman, 19, who vanished on May 31, 2000. Hunters discovered her skeletal remains in March 2003, about 15 miles north of Bloomington in Morgan County. The grand jury also indicted Alisha Evans, 26, of Bloomington, on two counts of perjury, accusing her of not giving truthful information about her relationship with some people in the investigation. She is related to Myers through marriage and was in custody, authorities said.Evans, also known as Alisha Sowders, was named in connection with the investigation a few years ago. She has denied involvement, 6News' Ben Morriston reported.Myers was arrested Sunday night at his home and was being held in the Morgan County Jail.
Myers will be arraigned in Martinsville on Tuesday.Police did not reveal what they believed to be the motive in the killing or the cause of Behrman's death.Over the past six years, police have tracked leads, including a theory that a motorist struck Behrman."The cause of death has been sealed by the court, and that cannot be released by anyone until the court unseals that," Indiana State Police 1st Sgt. Dave Bursten said.Rick Lang, a detective with the Indiana State Police, said officials are still looking for an anonymous caller who reported seeing a red car."In December of '04, some witnesses came forward with information I can't regard as being new. The information had been reported in the earlier investigation. However, I took the information that the witnesses provided and investigated further," Lang said. "As the investigation progressed, Mr. Myers became increasingly suspect to me."
Jill Behrman
"We just look at this as a big step in the right direction," said Marilyn Behrman, Jill's mother.The Morgan County grand jury interviewed more than 90 witnesses over four weeks, Morriston reported.Authorities still hope to identify witnesses who may have seen Behrman the day she disappeared.Myers is a self-employed handyman whose late father was a jail commander in Monroe County, Morriston reported.
Previous Stories:
- March 1, 2006: Prosecutor Plans Grand Jury In 2000 Death Of IU Student
- December 28, 2004: Police: Ex-Fugitive Not Helpful With Behrman Case
- December 17, 2004: Authorities: Ex-Fugitive Cooperating With Police
- December 17, 2004: Authorities Hope Ex-Fugitive Has Info About IU Student's Death
- April 10, 2003: Suspect In Behrman Case Released From Jail
- March 26, 2003: Prosecutor: New Info Follows Recantation In Behrman Probe
- March 26, 2003: Behrman Suspect May Soon Be Released From Jail
- March 17, 2003: Searchers In Behrman Case Find More Bones
- March 14, 2003: Behrman Discovery Focuses Attention On Previous Clues
- March 14, 2003: Bones Found In Woods Identified As Jill Behrman's
- March 12, 2003: Evidence Found That Helps Bones Investigation
- March 10, 2003: Bone Discovery Catches Attention Of Missing Women's Parents
- March 10, 2003: Hunters Find Human Skull, Other Remains
- March 5, 2003: Behrman's Father: Meeting With Prosecutor 'Productive'
- February 27, 2003: Sources: Confession Led To Creek Search For Behrman
- December 20, 2002: Prosecutor Reviewing Evidence In Behrman Case
- October 11, 2002: Behrman Suspect Charged In 2001 Rape Case
- September 23, 2002: Officials Suspend Behrman Search
- September 17, 2002: Behrman Search Continues As Her Birthday Passes
- September 17, 2002: Behrman Investigators Find More Possible Evidence In Creek
- September 16, 2002: Possible Evidence Found In Behrman Case
- September 9, 2002: Behrman Investigators To Drain Portion Of Creek
- August 30, 2002: Agents Searching For Cars In Behrman Case
- August 1, 2002: Behrman Investigators Suspend Search Of Creek
- July 31, 2002: Behrman Search Resumes Thursday At Salt Creek
- May 31, 2002: Behrman Investigators: We're Looking For Pickup Truck
- May 31, 2002: Bloomington Marks Anniversary Of Behrman's Disappearance
- April 13, 2002: Behrman Suspect Faces New Charges
- April 12, 2002: Judge To Decide Bond For Man Investigated In Behrman Case
- April 10, 2002: Defense Attorney Links Jailed Man To Behrman Probe
- April 4, 2002: Detectives Theorize Behrman Was Hit Accidentally
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