Esteemed Indiana farmer, 92, killed in apparent home robbery

VAN BUREN, Ind. (WISH) - A rural Grant County community is in shock after investigators say someone brutally killed a 92-year-old man in his own bed.

George Akers had lived in Grant County all his life. It's where he farmed and delivered mail. He thought his last days spent at his farmhouse would be peaceful ones. Unfortunately, investigators say he died a violent death.

In 2002, then Lt. Governor Joe Kernan honored George Akers for maintaining a more than 100-year-old farm in the state of Indiana.

His nephew, George Clupper, now cares for that historic farm.

"I don't know that the man had an enemy in the United States of America,” Clupper said of his uncle.

Clupper would take his uncle George breakfast and dinner every day at the same time. Saturday morning, while delivering breakfast at 7:15, he noticed something seemed odd.

"The outside porch light was on. I knew that wasn't right. The barn door was open probably two inches. I knew that wasn't right," recalled Clupper.

While there were a couple of unusual signs outside the home, what Clupper found inside the home was most disturbing. Every room was ransacked including his uncle's bedroom. That's where Clupper found his uncle still lying in bed.

"I didn't even go near him I didn't want…I was smart enough to know a situation like that you don't touch anything or disturb anything. So, I just backed out and got out of there," said Clupper.

Clupper drove the mile home to call 911.

He says his uncle was in poor health suffering from emphysema, congestive heart failure and needed a walker to get around. So, he doesn't understand why anyone would hurt him.

“In his physical condition, there isn't a soul standing here that he could have done anything to," he said.

Grant County Sheriff Darrell Himelick said his investigators are conducting a countywide investigation. He says Akers was a friend and had no enemies.

"And I don't expect the public to understand how you can kill a 92-year-old defenseless person like this when I don't understand it after being in law enforcement for 30 years, " admits Sheriff Himelick.

Investigators won't release the cause of death because they want to question more people.

Police say robbery appears to be the motive. But they need tips.

If you have any information, call the Grant County Sheriff at 765-662-9836 or Crime Stoppers at 765-668-8168.

George Akers' calling is Wednesday from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at Ferguson Glancy Funeral Home in Van Buren and his funeral is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 a.m. at the same location.