Michael McCown:1992, Terre Haute, Indiana

   

   Interstate 70 runs through the middle of Indiana including Indianapolis and Terre Haute. 

  In the early to mid 1990’s I lived in Terre Haute. I was attending Indiana State University off and on and working multiple jobs to survive. One of the places I worked was Florsheim Shoes. It was an outlet store selling all men’s shoes and was located in a strip mall next to Honey Creek Mall. Business was rather slow and so staffing was kept to a minimum. We ladies often worked alone or in pairs on busier weekend days. 

   In 1992 and the following years we were especially on guard and nervous because a shop keeper a few blocks away had been murdered. As police investigated that murder newspapers began reporting that it may have been part of a string of murders all located more or less along I-70. All the murder victims were retail workers in small shops located in strip malls. 

   Sylvia’s Ceramics was located in Terre Haute just off Interstate 70 at 2615 South 3rd Street. It was just a few short blocks from the store I worked at. Sylvia McCown had owned the shop but her son Michael Milo “Mick” McCown had taken over the business about five years earlier. He was a musician and was part of several local bands over the years in the Terre Haute area. The ceramics store likely provided a good steady income and a stable day job. Michael was a handsome guy. In 1992 he had long, straight, dark hair and an earring. Police theorized later that the killer mistook him for a woman because of the long hair. The killer likely only saw Michael from behind. 

   On Monday April 27th,1992 Michael was stocking shelves in the ceramics store. He was on his knees and placing items on the lowest shelves when a customer entered. He may have said something like “Welcome, let me know if you need anything.” He might have said nothing at all just yet to this unknown customer who had just entered. As Michael knelt there; the customer approached him from behind and shot him in the head with a .22 caliber weapon. Michael was killed instantly. His time of death was listed as 2:00 p.m. 

   Michael’s murder is considered to be the third crime scene left behind by the I-70 Killer. 

   Robin Fuldauer was killed on April 8th, 1992 in Indianapolis. Patricia Magers and Patricia Smith were killed in Wichita, Kansas on April 11th, 1992. Michael was killed on April 27th, 1992. Investigators theorized the killer might have been a trucker with a route traveling back and forth along I-70. 

  It could be a trucker but parking a big rig in some of these places can be difficult. He could have left it parked along the side of the interstate. But, it doesn’t have to be a semi truck. The killer could also be a traveling salesman or someone traveling for business. 

   Michael McCown was a musician and had been a part of several bands in Terre Haute. He had a lot of friends. He had many regular customers at the ceramics shop as well. He was beloved by his family and by so many others. His loss was felt deeply. 

   Michael McCown is buried at Roselawn Memorial Park in Terre Haute. 

  Rest in Peace Michael

 If you have information about the I-70 Killer please contact 1-800-800-3510.