Shirley Ann Bowman:1960, Tampico, Indiana

   

  Shirley Ann Bowman was 22. She and her husband were married in 1955 and had five children in 1960. 

  Her husband,Garland Bowman, was a Korean War Veteran and was said to be disabled. The family lived at Timber Lake, a community northwest of Brownstown, Indiana. 

  She was born Shirley Ann Stout in Retreat, Indiana on September 17th, 1937. (Retreat is a small community east of Tampico.) Her parents were Louise Spall Stout and Ivan Stout. 

  She left her home on Monday, July 25th 1960 to head to her mother’s home in Retreat to borrow an electric iron until her own could be repaired. In those days Monday was wash day and Tuesday was ironing day so that makes sense. She was last seen wearing capri pants and a polka dot blouse. 

  Her car was found in Brownstown in an alley between Walnut and Spring Streets the next day. The car was locked and the keys were missing. (I wonder if someone carjacked her in Brownstown at a stop sign or stoplight and later drove the car back there near his own home.)

 Her mother suggested foul play immediately and pressured law enforcement to drag Timber Lake where the Bowman’s made their home. Officials were preparing to drag the lake in August when word came that a body had been found. 

  Shirley Ann Bowman was found in August by a Highway worker. He smelled decay and went to investigate thinking it might be a dead animal. She was located about 40 feet from the road in a field with tall weeds 1 and ½ miles northwest of Tampico off State Route 39. Her remains were nearly skeletal. Her husband identified her by her clothing. Her neck bones were missing. Her lower legs and arms were missing. Her shoes were found nearby. It was theorized that animals had been at the body and had taken those missing bones. 

  Her skull showed no signs of fracture. Strangulation could not be determined because her neck bones and flesh were missing. None of her other bones showed signs of fractures or gunshot wounds. Investigators took soil samples from the area around and under her body to check for poisoning as a cause of death. No poison was found. 

  Who murdered Shirley Ann Bowman and left her in that field? 

  

   It seems like maybe someone flagged her down there and asked for a ride. She was then forced into the field and likely assaulted and murdered. It is difficult to say how with so much of her remains missing. Did that person steal her car and drive it to Brownstown? Why not go even farther away with the car? 

  Shirley’s youngest child was only 14 months old. Her oldest child was only 8 years old. All five deserved to have their mother in their lives for many years to come. Shirley deserved a long life filled with happy times surrounded by family. 

  Rest in Peace, Shirley Ann Bowman 

If you have a tip about this murder please call the Brown County Sheriff’s Department at (812) 988-6655

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