James W Ellis, 58, was found dead in the backyard of his Fountain County home near Covington, Indiana, on February 10, 2003. Relatives discovered the body after not hearing from him for more than a month; he had reportedly last been seen on December 26, 2002. Authorities ruled the death a homicide, but details about the manner of death and events in the final weeks remain unclear.

Ellis was described as a recluse, which investigators say has complicated efforts to reconstruct his movements and contacts before his death. The Indiana State Police list the case as unsolved and continue to seek information; no arrests or publicly identified suspects have been announced.

If anyone knew James Ellis, his routines, visitors to his property, or has information from late December 2002 through February 2003, please come forward.