Reelsville father, son dead in apparent murder-suicide

The Boatright residence on County Road 450 South near Reelsville was the scene of an apparent murder-suicide Wednesday. Found dead were Kevin Boatright, 40, and his son, Jeremy, 14.

REELSVILLE -- The deaths of a father and son found inside their rural Putnam County home near Reelsville Wednesday is under investigation by detectives from the Criminal Investigation Division at the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post.

The victims have been identified as Kevin Boatright, age 40, and his 14-year-old son, Jeremy Boatright.

Preliminary indications are that Jeremy Boatright succumbed to an apparent gunshot wound and Kevin Boatright succumbed to an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, State Police officials report.

Putnam County 911 received the initial call for help from a family member at 1:35 p.m. Wednesday.

The relative reportedly had gone to the Boatright residence at 6503 W. County Road 450 South, Reelsville, for a visit and found the bodies located in the northwest bedroom of the home.

Putnam County Sheriff's Department deputies were first to arrive on the scene. Officers then requested assistance from the Putnamville Post after receiving information that ISP detectives on Tuesday had initiated a criminal investigation involving Kevin Boatright as a person of interest.

On Tuesday afternoon, State Police officials had started an investigation of Kevin Boatright by speaking with him in person at his home about allegations he had contributed to the delinquency of two female juveniles under the age of 18, ISP Public Information Officer Sgt. Joe Watts reported.

Based on the initial investigation there was insufficient information to result in an immediate arrest and the investigation was continuing, Watts explained.

Autopsies will be performed Thursday at Terre Haute Regional Hospital, and are expected to take most of the day.

The death investigation is ongoing and no further information is being made available at this time, Watts said.

ISP Det. Brian Maudlin is the lead investigator with ISP Crime Scene Investigator Jim Cody, ISP Dets. Lt. Donna Elam, First Sgt. Jeff Hearon and Jim Dungan assisting, along with the Putnam County Sheriff's Office and Putnam County deputy coroners Dave Brown and Steve Caulkins.