Hayden M. Grody was known as a smart, quiet, and kind-hearted 14-year-old male with a good sense of humor. A freshman at Jay County High School in Portland, Indiana, he was a member of the Art Club and had ambitions of starting an eSports team. Hayden, who was born in Muncie, Indiana, on May 9, 2012, was remembered by those who loved him as a "gentle giant with a soft heart" who stood up for what was right.
He enjoyed playing computer games like "The Binding of Isaac" and "Legend of Zelda," collecting Pokémon cards, making origami, and listening to music. Friends recalled how he could make them laugh even on their worst days and would cheer people up just with his smile. He attended Open Arms House of Worship and cherished his time each year at Camp Trinity.
The tragedy that took Hayden's life unfolded in his own home on the afternoon of Friday, September 25, 2026. Around 4:53 p.m., Portland police were dispatched to the 1300 block of W. Meadow Lane after receiving a report of a man firing a handgun outside a residence before going back inside. When officers arrived, they encountered Hayden's father, 35-year-old Michael A. Grody. According to police, Michael refused to follow commands to exit the house. Officers used a stun gun to subdue him and take him into custody.
Once inside the home, police made a devastating discovery. They found Hayden with a single gunshot wound to his abdomen. Emergency medical services were called, and Hayden was rushed by ambulance to IU Health Jay Hospital. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he was pronounced dead at 6:17 p.m. that evening. A subsequent autopsy confirmed that the gunshot wound was the cause of death.
The investigation was handled by the Portland Police Department, with assistance from the Jay County Sheriff's Office and Indiana State Police. According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Jay Circuit Court, Michael Grody admitted to investigators that he had shot his son. The weapon was identified as a .40-caliber Hi-Point handgun. Following his arrest, Michael Grody was booked into the Jay County Jail and held without bond.
On Tuesday, September 29, 2026, the Jay County Prosecutor’s Office formally charged Michael A. Grody with murder. Prosecutors also filed a notice of intent to seek a firearm sentencing enhancement, which could add five to 20 years to a potential sentence. If convicted of murder, he could face 45 to 65 years in prison. Michael Grody was initially preliminarily charged with several other crimes, including neglect of a dependent causing death and intimidation, but the formal filing focused on the single count of murder.
In the days following Hayden's death, the Portland community gathered to mourn the loss of the young teen. On Sunday, September 27, about 200 people attended a candlelight vigil at Hudson Family Park. Friends, family, and community members held candles and shared memories of Hayden. His stepmother, Shelby Grody, expressed her gratitude for the outpouring of support. A friend, 14-year-old Hannah Pierce, remembered him as a "really sweet kid" who always had jokes and could lift others' spirits. Todd Skirvin, whose daughter was Hayden's best friend, spoke at the vigil, saying, “We need people to just love each other, support each other, and support these kids.” In honor of Hayden, his family requested that donations be made to Camp Trinity, a place that meant a great deal to him.
The case against Michael A. Grody is proceeding through the Indiana court system. After his initial hearing on September 30, 2026, a pretrial conference was scheduled for December 3, 2026, in Jay Circuit Court. As of December 2026, the case remains in litigation.
