BELMONT —A 70-year-old Brown County man was killed last week near his home and a neighbor has been arrested on a murder charge for taking his life.
Randy Small, 56, was booked into the Brown County Jail on Sept. 16 and is being held on no bond until his initial hearing that will be scheduled once formal charges are filed. Probable cause for murder has been found and charges will be filed against Small this week, Prosecutor Ted Adams said.
Small was arrested after police discovered a body in a vehicle parked along Helms Road early Sept. 16.
The victim was identified Robert “Bob” Adair, of Helms Road, following an autopsy last week. His identity was not immediately released because an autopsy was needed to verify his identity. Fingerprints were used to identify him.
“He was the kindest, gentlest soul. A true Renaissance man, one like I’ve never known,” said Adair’s friend and neighbor Brent Hutton.
“He was so loving and giving. He would do anything for you. It is such a travesty.”
Police first responded to Small’s home on Helms Road just after midnight on Sept. 16 after receiving a report that Small had told a relative he had shot someone.
Once officers arrived on scene there was about an hour long standoff before Small surrendered, Det. Brian Shrader with the Brown County Sheriff’s Department said Sept. 16.
During that investigation, officers discovered Adair’s body down the road in a truck on the side of Helms Road around 1 a.m. Coroner Earl Piper estimated he had been deceased between approximately 24 to 36 hours when his body was found.
Piper said Sept. 16 that the death was a homicide, but that no other information would be released until after the autopsy was completed. On Sept. 20, Piper confirmed Adair’s identity and said the cause of death was a gunshot wound to the head.
Last week, Shrader said the initial investigation had shown the homicide may be related to a property dispute, but that was not confirmed. Adair was a neighbor to Small.
The sheriff’s department is investigating the homicide and is being assisted by the Indiana State Police.
If anyone has information about this case they are encouraged to contact Shrader or Det. Paul Henderson by calling 812-988-6655, extension 0 to talk to dispatch.
“Our peaceful valley is going to be empty without his vibe,” Hutton said of Adair.
This story will be updated for the Sept. 29 Brown County Democrat with information from the probable cause affidavit and comments from those who knew Adair.
