In March of 2020, the life of 32-year-old Jeffery David Crapo of Elkhart, Indiana, was tragically cut short. His body was discovered in a burning car in Sandstone Township, Michigan, on March 3, 2020, after fire crews responded to the blaze. An investigation revealed that Crapo had been shot and killed in Elkhart before his body was transported to a remote area in Jackson, Michigan, and the vehicle was set on fire.
The investigation into Crapo's death led police to Austin Bowlin, then
37, also of Elkhart. Investigators learned that Bowlin and Crapo were at a hotel in the area on the day of the murder. It was there that Bowlin allegedly shot Crapo multiple times. Following the shooting, Bowlin moved Crapo's body to the back seat of the car and drove around Indiana and Michigan for several days before setting the car on fire with Crapo's body inside. A witness who was with Bowlin and Crapo stated that she saw Bowlin shoot Crapo twice in the car following drug use and that she was then forced to help move the body.
Austin Bowlin was arrested and charged with the murder of Jeffery Crapo. In February 2023, a jury convicted Bowlin of murder and other charges related to Crapo's death. During the trial, testimony revealed that Bowlin shot Crapo twice in the head on March 1, 2020.
In March 2023, an Elkhart County judge sentenced Austin Bowlin to 95 years in prison for the murder of Jeffery Crapo. The sentence included 65 years for murder and an additional 30 years for using a firearm and being a habitual criminal offender. Prior to his murder conviction in Indiana, Bowlin had pleaded guilty in Michigan to charges of arson and desecration of a body. Bowlin maintained his innocence at his sentencing and stated his intention to appeal the murder conviction.
