Police suspect foul play in man's death

LADOGA, Ind. (WISH) - Indiana State Police are investigating a suspicious death near the Boone/Montgomery county line.

ISP said an acquaintance became concerned when he couldn’t reach Samuel H. Kessler, 94, and went to his home in the 8700 block of East Ind. 234 in Ladoga. He found Kessler – who is a former county commissioner – dead in his bedroom, with a wound to his body. Police would not specify the type or location of the wound, but they said it suggested foul play.

The door to the home was also ajar, police said, and the home appeared to have been ransacked, though it was unclear whether anything was missing from the home.

Kessler had last spoken with relatives at about 11 a.m. Saturday. Investigators think foul play occurred between then and 11:24 Sunday morning.

An autopsy was scheduled for Monday afternoon at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, and the investigation is ongoing, ISP said.

Anyone with information should contact ISP Detective First Sergeant Tom McKee or Detective Jay Harper at the Lafayette Post, 765-567-2125.