INFAMOUS: The Westside Park Murders - Detailed Summary
Podcast: Crime Junkie
Host: Ashley Flowers
Co-Host: Britt
Episode Title: INFAMOUS: The Westside Park Murders
Release Date: April 28, 2025
Introduction
In the gripping episode titled "INFAMOUS: The Westside Park Murders," Crime Junkie delves into one of Indiana's most perplexing and enduring cold cases. Hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt meticulously unravel the events surrounding the brutal double murder of two teenagers in 1985, exploring the myriad of leads, suspects, and unanswered questions that have persisted for nearly four decades.
The Night of the Murders
Discovery of the Bodies
At approximately midnight on September 28, 1985, Officer Terry Winters was patrolling Westside Park in Muncie, Indiana, accompanied by his canine partner, Max. As they prepared to leave the area, Winters noticed tire tracks leading to a Volkswagen hatchback parked in a gravel section of the park. Suspicious of the vehicle being left past the park's closing time, Winters approached with his flashlight, only to discover the lifeless bodies of two teenagers inside.
Ashley Flowers [00:04]: "I'm obsessed with this case, not only because it took place right here in Indiana, but because some believe answers in this unsolved double murder may have been right under police's noses throughout their nearly 40 year quest for justice."
Victims Identified
The victims were quickly identified as 16-year-old Ethan Dixon and 15-year-old Kimberly Dowell, both standout students at Northside High School. Ethan was the junior class president and a member of the debate team, while Kimberly was a respected cheerleader recently named to the homecoming queen court. Despite their exemplary reputations, police investigations revealed that Ethan had been a victim of bullying, which may have played a role in the events leading to their deaths.
Ashley Flowers [03:17]: "It seems unlikely that it would belong to one of the kids, which could mean the killer left this thing behind."
Crime Scene Details
The crime scene presented no signs of struggle or robbery. Personal belongings remained untouched, including a portable stereo and an open pocket knife on the dashboard. However, a small empty gun holster was found under Ethan's body. Both victims sustained fatal .38 caliber gunshot wounds—Kimberly to the head and Ethan to the chest. Surprisingly, no weapon was ever recovered at the scene.
Britt [03:16]: "Like he was sitting on it."
Initial Investigation and Leads
Officer Winters' Report
Officer Winters did not report hearing any gunshots, a point of contention given the park's expansive 20-acre layout. Witnesses, however, stated they heard gunfire and saw three individuals around the victims' car shortly after the shooting. This discrepancy highlighted the challenges faced by investigators in piecing together the timeline and sequence of events.
Early Suspects
Within days of the murders, police encountered a disoriented man in a car near Westside Park who claimed to be grieving for Kimberly. Despite his cooperation initially, inconsistencies in his statements raised suspicions. This man, later identified only in the book as "Jimmy Swingley," had a minor criminal record and provided little credible information, leaving officers with more questions than answers.
Ashley Flowers [11:25]: "Prepare to stay frustrated, because that's about all the info that this guy gives."
Focus on Kimberly's Step-Father
Simultaneously, police began scrutinizing Kimberly's stepfather, Don Dixon. His presence at the park during the early investigation and subsequent odd statements during interviews made him a person of interest. Despite passing a polygraph test, Deputy Chief Marvin Campbell expressed doubts about Don's innocence, noting his unchanging story and peculiar remarks.
Britt [14:10]: "Okay, is that a no then?"
Ashley Flowers [14:13]: "I think it's trying to be. And I like you like Deputy Chief, like we all find this kind of sus."
However, Don's solid alibi—evidenced by his attendance at a football game earlier that night—coupled with the lack of a clear motive, left law enforcement struggling to connect him definitively to the murders.
Exploring Other Leads
Attempts to link the murders to external crimes led investigators to consider unrelated cases involving similar M.O.s, such as a bad marijuana deal and an assault in a nearby county. These connections, however, failed to yield substantial evidence, leading to further dead ends in the investigation.
Renewed Interest and Cold Case Reopening
Detective Nathan Sloan Takes Charge
In 2012, Detective Nathan Sloan was assigned to the cold case, bringing fresh perspectives and renewed vigor to the investigation. Sloan revisited existing leads, particularly focusing on Jimmy Swingley and leveraging new technologies like DNA testing.
Ashley Flowers [25:19]: "So, like, there's someone else that we should. We should be still looking."
Linking to Other Crimes
Detective Sloan explored connections between the Westside Park Murders and other crimes, including those potentially linked to serial killer Rafael Resendez, known for his mobility and multiple victims across various states. Despite these efforts, no concrete links were established, and Resendez was ultimately ruled out as a suspect.
The Breakthrough: DNA Evidence
A significant development occurred when a warrant was approved to obtain Jimmy Swingley's DNA in 2018. Although Swingley cooperated, denying involvement and claiming innocence, DNA testing did not match any evidence recovered from the crime scene, weakening the case against him.
Ashley Flowers [37:58]: "Detective Sloan is finally feeling that it's time that he can go straight to Jimmy now. Like, maybe they can get something from him."
Community and Online Confessions
In 2023, a Reddit post surfaced claiming a neighbor confessed to the murders, providing a narrative that mirrored the known facts but introduced discrepancies such as the use of a .22 caliber weapon. This confession was met with skepticism due to its anonymity and conflicting details, ultimately being removed from the platform without impacting the ongoing investigation.
Britt [40:59]: "It is. And it's what some of the users in the forum wondered."
Current Status and Unanswered Questions
As of the latest updates in 2022, the Westside Park Murders remain unsolved. Detective Sloan, now Chief of Police in Muncie, continues to follow up on leads but faces challenges due to limited resources and the passage of time diluting witness memories and evidence integrity.
Potential Suspects and Motives
Despite numerous suspects over the years—including Don Dixon and Jimmy Swingley—none have been conclusively linked to the crime. Theories ranging from a botched drug deal to personal vendettas remain speculative, with no definitive motive established. The presence of a pocket knife and the missing gun weapon further complicate the investigation, as these items provide little substantial evidence when analyzed.
Impact on the Community
The unresolved nature of the murders has left a lasting scar on the Muncie community, with ongoing rumors and theories contributing to the case's notoriety. The families of Ethan and Kimberly continue to seek closure, while law enforcement is under pressure to finally solve the case that has haunted the town for decades.
Ashley Flowers [42:15]: "Right. And I think at this point, it's important to point out that no one. Not Jimmy, who is due to be released from prison in 2030, by the way, and despite all the rumors, not Kimberly's stepfather, Don, or any of the other possible people police looked into, none of them have ever been charged in this case."
Conclusion
"The Westside Park Murders" episode of Crime Junkie offers a comprehensive exploration of a haunting cold case that has defied resolution for nearly 40 years. Through detailed examination of the events, investigation processes, and lingering questions, hosts Ashley Flowers and Britt provide listeners with an engaging narrative that underscores the complexities of true crime investigations. As the community of Crime Junkies continues to follow updates, the hope remains that new evidence or insights will eventually bring justice to Ethan Dixon and Kimberly Dowell.
Note: If you possess any information regarding the Westside Park Murders or have insights that could aid in solving this case, please contact the Muncie Police Department at 765-747-4867 or anonymously through Crimestoppers at 765-286-4050. Additional resources and episode details are available on the Crime Junkie website.