By Lasca Randels
InkFreeNews

This is a monthly column that will run on the third Sunday of each month.        

Brandie Peltz

ARGOS — Who murdered 11-year-old Brandie Peltz in 1986?

This question still weighs on the minds of many people — especially those in and around the Argos area. 

The murder, which occurred in rural Argos, shocked the small community. Perhaps even more shocking is that this came two years after another murder south of Argos — that of Darlene Hulse in August 1984. There are some who question whether the two cases might be related.

Brandie Peltz, the daughter of Steven and Roxie Peltz, would normally have been at school, but on that particular day, Dec. 11, 1986, she was sick and stayed home. Both of her parents were at work. It was reported that Mrs. Peltz went home during her lunch break to check on her daughter. 

Shortly after 3 p.m., a neighbor driving by saw that the second story of the residence was on fire and stopped to see if anyone was inside.

The victim was found dead in her home floating face down in a bathtub full of water. An upstairs bedroom of the residence was set on fire. The cause of death was strangulation. 

It is believed that whoever murdered Brandie Peltz intentionally set the fire to cover up the murder. 

The family reportedly had received several harassing phone calls earlier that week which consisted of heavy breathing before the caller would hang up. A co-worker of the victim’s mother told police Mrs. Peltz received a call from her daughter earlier that day saying there had been another obscene call. 

In 2008, Indiana author Thomas Crowel self-published a novel titled “The Passerby,” which is thought to be a fictionalized account of the Brandie Peltz murder. This resulted in renewed interest in the case.

Due to advancements in DNA testing/profiling and other forensics technology, many cold cases are being re-opened, with some resulting in prosecution.

Anyone with information concerning this case is asked to please contact:

Indiana State Police
District Investigative Commander
1425 Miami Highway
Bremen, IN 46506

(574) 546-4900 or (800) 552-2959