Ira Free Kemp was a 52-year-old farmer and musician from Odon, Indiana, and a charter member of the Bethel Mennonite Church. He was last seen on or around January 25, 1981, leaving behind a son and a daughter. For decades his whereabouts were unknown.

Human remains found in Odon on April 7, 2015, were later identified through DNA testing as those of Ira Free Kemp; the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office announced the identification in June 2016 and a graveside service was held July 11, 2016, at Bethel Mennonite Cemetery. With the identification, the case was reclassified from a missing person matter to a homicide and investigators from the Daviess County Sheriff’s Office, Odon Police Department, Indiana State Police, and other agencies have continued work on the matter.

No arrests or suspects have been publicly announced; the circumstances of Kemp’s death and who may be responsible remain open. If anyone knew Ira, saw him around January 25, 1981, or has information about his death, please come forward.