In the summer of 2025, the community of Elkhart, Indiana, was disturbed by the discovery of a body in the St. Joseph River. On the afternoon of July 17th, officers were called to the vicinity of the 300 block of East Beardsley Avenue, where they found the remains of a man in the water. The Elkhart Fire Department was dispatched to assist in retrieving the body from the river.
The following day, the Elkhart County Coroner's Office identified the deceased as 50-year-old Anthony Null.
Initially, the circumstances surrounding Null's death were unclear, prompting an immediate investigation by the Elkhart County Homicide Unit. The investigation took a decisive turn on July 22, when the coroner officially ruled Null's death a homicide. An autopsy confirmed that Anthony Null had died from a gunshot wound before his body entered the river.
The investigation into Null's murder led to a swift arrest. Michael E. Hawkins Jr., 59, was taken into custody in connection with the death. Hawkins was subsequently charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. According to court documents, a witness recounted hearing an argument between Hawkins and Null over synthetic marijuana and coffee. The witness then reported hearing a single gunshot and seeing Null slouched over and bleeding. Hawkins was arraigned and is being held in jail without bond.
