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Body found in burned-out pickup now a murder case

Suspect arrested and charged
Posted at 9:18 PM, Oct 28, 2019
and last updated 2019-10-28 21:18:32-04

GRANT COUNTY—A man whose body was found in a burned-out pickup truck in Grant County last week was murdered in neighboring Blackford County, and a suspect is in custody, according to authorities.

47-year-old Donald Lamley of Hartford City is being held at the Blackford County Jail. Court records show Lamey faces murder and arson charges in the death of 26-year-old Jeremy Overla, also of Hartford City.

Overla's body was found in the pickup last Friday in southeast Grant County, about 10 miles from Hartford City. The Grant County Coroner says Overla died of blunt force injuries to the head.

The murder investigation led detectives to Lamley, who admitted to the crime, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Department.

Lamley told investigators he hid in the back seat of the pickup and began striking Overla with his fist and a hammer when Overla got inside. Lamley said he then drove the truck to Grant County and set it on fire.

A motive behind the killing has not been released.