In a shocking act of violence that shattered the peace of the rural community of Aurora, Indiana, 23-year-old Leo Agrue was murdered on May 16, 1941. He was one of five victims in a brutal mass shooting that took place on the Agrue family farm. The perpetrator was identified as Virginius 'Dink' Carter, who harbored a deep-seated grudge against the Agrue family.
The motive for the horrific crime stemmed from Carter's resentment towards Leo and his brother, Will.
Carter claimed the brothers had forced him into a marriage with their sister, Mary Agrue. Following their divorce, Carter married Mary's twin sister, Leona Agrue, who was not present at the farm on the day of the attack.
On that fateful day, Carter arrived at the Agrue farm armed with a shotgun. His first victim was Leo's mother, Nina Agrue, whom he shot in the kitchen. When Leo's niece, Mary Breeden, attempted to flee, she was also gunned down. Carter then proceeded to methodically kill Leo, his father Johnson Agrue, and his brother Will.
After the massacre, Carter hitchhiked back to Aurora and confessed the murders to his father. His father then accompanied him back to the scene of the crime. Carter led law enforcement to the hidden shotgun and was taken into custody. He was held in the county jail, where he was described as a model prisoner. His trial began in October 1941, where he faced five counts of first-degree murder. Despite an initial plea of not guilty, Carter was convicted and sentenced to death. On February 10, 1942, Virginius 'Dink' Carter was executed at the Michigan City State Prison. He was buried in River View Cemetery in Aurora, his grave positioned to face the graves of the family he had murdered.
