An example of the shoes the killer may have worn the night of the murder.
Investigators with the Sullivan County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office continue to seek answers in the 1981 murder of Sarah “Jeanette” Benson.
On the evening of Jan. 2, 1981, Benson, 51, returned home from shopping in Terre Haute to find an intruder inside her Farmersburg home.
Neighbors described seeing a blue sedan parked in Benson's driveway just prior to her returning home. One of the witnesses thought the vehicle was an older Plymouth Valiant, describing it as “robin egg blue.” A second witness thought the vehicle was possibly a Chevrolet, describing it as having "shiny blue paint.” A third witness described a “clean” bluish green sedan.
One neighbor observed a white male near the home. The male, who was wearing a down vest, was seen knocking on the Bensons’ front door. The male was described as tall and thin, possibly in his 20’s at the time. Investigators believe this man was likely the killer.
A recent development has led investigators to release a photograph of similar shoes that the killer may have worn.
Investigators have exhausted many leads over the years, but have not been able to develop probable cause on a particular individual.
The Benson family remains hopeful that sharing this information may spark someone’s memory.
If you know of any information concerning the murder of Sarah Jeanette Benson, please contact the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office at 812-268-4308 or the Indiana State Police at 765-653-4114.
Republished courtesy of Sullivan County (Indiana) Sheriff’s Office.