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- calendar_today October 13, 2026
Verdict Reached in Zionsville Mother Murder Case
A Boone County Circuit Court judge has found a Zionsville man, Graham Bixler, “guilty but mentally ill” in the 2024 murder of his mother, Kristin Bixler. The verdict was delivered following a bench trial presided over by Judge Lori Schein.
Incident Details and Police Response
On April 8, 2024, officers from the Zionsville Police Department responded to a welfare check in the 5300 block of West Old 106th Street. They were dispatched at approximately 11:30 a.m. to check on a woman who resided in the area.
Upon arrival, police discovered a woman's body on property to the south of the home. The deceased was identified as Kristin Bixler, Graham Bixler’s mother.
Crime Scene and Investigation Findings
Court documents revealed that Kristin Bixler was found with a severe head injury, as well as wounds to her left abdomen, legs, throat, sternum, left arm, and a significant laceration on the right side of her right thigh. At the scene, police found handsaws, garden shears, a shovel, a large tarp, and a pair of muddy shoes in close proximity to the body.
Authorities determined that Kristin Bixler had died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head and sharp force injuries. Investigators estimated that she had been dead for “at least 24 hours” before her body was discovered.
Background: Prior Incidents and Charges
Court records indicate that Graham Bixler had previous legal encounters, having been charged in the summer of 2023 with domestic battery and resisting law enforcement. He was reportedly accused at that time of attempting to kill his father during a domestic violence incident.
On April 7, 2024, a day before Kristin Bixler’s body was found, Graham Bixler was taken into custody and transported to a stress center under an emergency detention order. He was later arrested and charged with murder and abuse of a corpse.
Court Verdict and Upcoming Sentencing
The bench trial in Boone County concluded with Judge Lori Schein finding Bixler “guilty but mentally ill” regarding the family homicide. This court verdict recognizes both the severity of the crime and the defendant's mental illness at the time of the incident. Bixler’s sentencing is scheduled for November 4 at 2 p.m.
Source: fox59.com.
