John E. Turner was 61 years old when he was last seen in Indianapolis, Indiana, on April 11, 1988. Eight days after he was last seen, his ex-wife, Norma, reported him missing to the Indianapolis Police Department. Turner, a resident of the Irvington area for many years, was a car salesman known for his gambling techniques. He had served in the U.S. Army and was a father. For years, his family grappled with the uncertainty of his disappearance.
The lack of leads and information left his whereabouts a painful mystery for his loved ones.
In July 2013, a significant development in the case occurred, though it wouldn't be connected to Turner for almost another decade. In a rural area of Hendricks County, a man who had recently purchased property was clearing junk metal. He enlisted the help of a scrapper to remove a large, 120-gallon well tank that was sealed shut. The tank was too heavy to move in one piece, so the scrapper began to cut it open. Upon doing so, a strong odor emerged, and inside they discovered what appeared to be human remains along with several articles of clothing. Among the items found with the skeletal remains were a pair of Reebok shoes and a distinctive hat with a logo that read "Appalachian Mechanical". Investigators were called to the scene and determined that the remains had been inside the sealed tank for at least two years, ruling out any possibility of an accidental death. Despite their efforts, the identity of the man remained unknown.
The case of the unidentified remains grew cold until 2018 when a bone was sent to a laboratory in Texas for DNA extraction. In June 2022, a breakthrough was finally made. The DNA profile from the remains was successfully matched to DNA samples provided by John Turner's daughter and grandson, confirming the remains were his. After more than three decades of uncertainty, his family finally had an answer, albeit a heartbreaking one. His death is being investigated as a homicide. John Edward Turner Jr. was laid to rest with his wife, Norma Jean, at Washington Park East Cemetery in Indianapolis. The discovery, while tragic, brought a close to the long and painful chapter of his disappearance for his surviving daughters, Kim Turner and Jane Spaulding. The investigation into the circumstances surrounding his death continues.Last Seen: Apr 11, 1988
