In the small town of Brazil, Indiana, the afternoon of August 10, 1957, unfolded like any other summer day, but it would end in a mystery that has haunted the community for decades. Seven-year-old Billy Earl Martin was playing in the yard of his family's home on North Colfax Street. Earlier in the day, his mother had asked a lodger, Harry A. "Tex" Higgins, to help Billy change into a clean shirt on the porch.
While his mother was busy with house cleaning, Billy and his younger four-year-old brother were playing on their tricycles in the yard, with Higgins sitting nearby. Around 3:30 p.m., Billy's brother came inside crying after a small argument with Billy. When his mother went to check on them, she noticed that both Billy and Higgins were gone. At the time, she wasn't alarmed and continued her work.
The initial lack of concern gave way to worry as the hours passed. Higgins returned to the Martin home around 6:00 p.m., but Billy was not with him. Higgins claimed he had last seen the boy around 4:00 p.m. playing in the road on Depot Street, a few blocks away. He said he had nearly hit Billy with his car, scolded him, and told him to go home. Billy was last seen wearing an orange and brown striped t-shirt, blue jeans, and brown sandals. As evening turned to night with no sign of the young boy, a massive search effort was launched. Hundreds of volunteers, including the Indiana Air National Guard and the Civil Air Patrol, combed the area, which was dotted with water-filled strip mine pits. The searchers scoured fields, woods, and ponds, but tragically, they found no trace of the missing child.
The investigation into Billy's disappearance quickly focused on those closest to him. Authorities questioned Billy's parents and their lodger, Harry "Tex" Higgins, who had only been living with the family for two weeks. Lie detector tests were administered to Billy's parents, his aunt, and Higgins. The results of the polygraphs suggested to investigators that Higgins and Billy's parents might know more than they were revealing. Higgins was held for two weeks for questioning but was ultimately released without any charges. At the time of his son's disappearance, Billy's father was in Wisconsin for National Guard training. Over the years, numerous theories have emerged, including the possibility that Billy may have wandered off and joined a carnival that left town that same day. The disappearance of Billy Earl Martin left an indelible mark on his family and the community of Brazil, becoming the source of local urban legends. Despite the passage of time and the pain of not knowing, his family has continued to hope for answers. The case remains an open investigation, a sorrowful puzzle with a missing piece at its heart.Last Seen: Aug 10, 1957
