A man is found murdered in his home In the quiet community of Hidden Valley, near Lawrenceburg, Indiana, the Memorial Day weekend of 2018 was shattered by a grim discovery. On Monday, May 28th, 73-year-old Thomas Biedenharn, a Caucasian male, was found deceased inside his home on Highridge Court. The scene immediately suggested foul play, a suspicion that was later confirmed by an autopsy which ruled his death a homicide.
While authorities have not released the specific cause of death, they believe he was killed two days earlier, on Saturday, May 26th.
Thomas, or 'Tom' as he was known, was a man whose stature was matched only by the size of his heart. In his youth, he had been a basketball player for both Elder High school and the University of Cincinnati. After a career in agricultural sales and marketing and teaching at UC Blue Ash, he dedicated his time to philanthropy and volunteering. He was a familiar and comforting presence as a Hospice volunteer and a life skills coach at the Transitions Grateful Life Center, an addiction recovery program in Kentucky. Friends and family remember him as a wonderful, funny man, a devoted father and grandfather who loved the outdoors and always shared a smile and a joke.
The investigation into his murder remains an open and active case. Indiana State Police detectives believe that more than one person was present at Biedenharn's residence when the crime occurred. A significant clue that has been shared with the public is the sighting of a newer model, 'electric or bright blue' four-door or extended cab truck in the vicinity of his home around the time of the murder. Despite numerous appeals to the public for information and the establishment of a 'Who Killed Big Tom' Facebook page, no arrests have been made.
Years have passed since the violent death of the man described as a 'gentle giant.' His family, still grappling with the tremendous loss, continues to hope for a resolution. Billboards have been put up in the area seeking tips, and a substantial reward is still being offered for any information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for ending the life of a beloved community member. The case remains a painful and unsolved chapter in the small Indiana town.
