The Murder of Everett Armstrong: A Conversation with Indiana State Police Captain Kevin Smith and Former Adams County Prosecutor Daniel Sigler

Murder Sheet Podcast
Release Date: August 19, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode of Murder Sheet centers on the 1977 murder of 84-year-old Everett Armstrong in rural Adams County, Indiana—a cold case that puzzled authorities for decades. Hosts Áine Cain and Kevin Greenlee conduct an in-depth interview with Indiana State Police Captain Kevin Smith, leader of the ISP’s cold case team, and Daniel Sigler, former Adams County Prosecutor, who both have been directly involved in the investigation across its long history. The episode explores who Everett Armstrong was, why solving his case took nearly 50 years, and the ultimate resolution in naming a prime suspect posthumously.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Victim: Everett Armstrong

• Everett Armstrong was a World War I veteran and a noted banjo player, known as a "loner" living in a remote trailer in Adams County.
  • “He had lived by himself out in the country. He's a World War I veteran. Had a great family history in music.” (Kevin Smith, 08:37)
• Armstrong's quiet life and lack of enemies made his violent death particularly shocking.
  • “He was a loner in the sense that he didn't have a housemate... most of his friends... were sort of loners like him.” (Daniel Sigler, 09:07)

2. Discovery of the Crime (03:21 - 14:16)

• Armstrong's body was found on August 19, 1977, by a local fuel oil delivery man, who initially did not realize it was a homicide. Because rural emergency protocols were less defined, the funeral home was contacted first.
  • “He didn’t realize this was a violent death…assumed Everett has passed away from some other natural cause…” (Kevin Smith, 11:24)
• Autopsy revealed Armstrong suffered a fatal shotgun wound through the screen door.

3. Early Investigation Hurdles (14:19 - 24:13)

• Few leads emerged at first. Gunshots were commonly heard in the area due to hunting season, making it difficult to tie any reports directly to the crime.
  • “Out in the country…August 15th in Indiana is a big day… for squirrel season… not unusual to hear a gunshot.” (Kevin Smith, 14:33)
• Inter-agency tension between county police and state police hampered early collaboration.
  • “There was not a great relationship between the Adams County Sheriff's Department…and the Indiana State Police.” (Daniel Sigler, 16:21)
• Some early witnesses identified a promising suspect, but this information may have been disregarded or not relayed properly.

4. Three Wrongful Arrests (24:14 - 41:52)

• Years after the murder, three juveniles were arrested based on a confession that was later deemed coerced and false, following aggressive polygraph and interviewing tactics.
  • “I felt very strongly from my experience as an investigator that that was an absolute false confession…too much information being fed to him.” (Kevin Smith, 30:45)
  • “Everybody asks…‘Why would you confess to something you didn't do?’ Well, this case is the study for that.” (Daniel Sigler, 31:15)
• A jailhouse informant, motivated by self-interest, falsely implicated the accused, complicating the case further.
• Polygraph results conflicted, eventually leading charges to be dropped with significant community confusion and no closure.

5. The Cold Case Resurgence (43:03 - 65:11)

• In 2013, Captain Kevin Smith took over the case. He described in detail the painstaking and methodical process of cold case review, including triple readings of all files and the use of modern forensic techniques.
  • "I'll read every stitch of paperwork... I want to get my head wrapped around here... by the third time I go through it, I have a pretty good handle." (Kevin Smith, 43:11)
• Modern forensics, including forensic genetic genealogy, have revolutionized the solving of such cases.
  • “Forensic genealogy has changed the world in cold cases.” (Kevin Smith, 48:01)
• Personal motivation for Smith: Several unsolved murders from his early career, and the lasting impact of cold cases on victims’ families and communities.
  • “These things absolutely obsess me... A violent death of somebody decimates a family for decades.” (Kevin Smith, 48:49)

6. The Real Suspect: James McBride II (59:01 - 65:36)

• Early on, witness statements pointed to James McBride II, but he was dismissed by original investigators as unreliable.
• Upon reopening, Smith tracked down both McBride (recently released from prison for another violent crime) and the original witnesses. All corroborated the same details they gave decades prior.
  • “He confided in [a witness] that he had just shot an old man… described very specifically… matched all the evidence exactly how he did it…” (Kevin Smith, 60:17)
• When confronted, McBride did not confess but said he didn’t recall, citing heavy PCP use at the time.
  • “He indicated…he was on PCP…and does not recall.” (Kevin Smith, 62:26)
• McBride died before charges could be filed, but police and prosecutors agreed the evidence would have been sufficient for prosecution.

7. The Aftermath and Closure (65:36 - 74:59)

• Armstrong’s surviving relatives were finally informed and expressed appreciation for answers, albeit decades late.
  • “She just thanked me several times for continuing to work on the case and at least getting some resolution.” (Kevin Smith, 68:29)
• Captain Smith reflected on the satisfaction—distinct but real—of resolving a case even when an arrest is not possible.
  • “It's so gratifying to sit in a room with the family and tell them… we got it.” (Kevin Smith, 69:18)
• Sigler emphasized that, beyond victim’s families, resolution also vindicates those previously charged and wrongly suspected.
  • “…finding a murder cold case, but he's clearing some people that were wrongfully charged. And that's almost as good a news, right?” (Daniel Sigler, 72:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Inter-Agency Conflict:
  • "Stay out of our backyard, okay? It's a typical thing...you don't want the big guys to come in and take a case away from you." (Daniel Sigler, 17:51)
• On False Confessions:
  • “Everybody asks…‘Why would you confess to something you didn't do?’ Well, this case is the study for that.” (Daniel Sigler, 31:15)
• On Cold Case Motivation:
  • “A violent death of somebody decimates a family for decades…it's so important. As important as you can get in law enforcement.” (Kevin Smith, 48:49)
• On Advances in Forensics:
  • “There's no greater time to be in this business… The possibilities are unbelievable now.” (Kevin Smith, 74:14)
• On Professional Integrity:
  • “You have to be honest with yourself and honest with the public. If you're not, you're not doing the job.” (Daniel Sigler, 42:56)

Timestamps for Important Segments

• 03:21 – Case introduction and initial discovery
• 08:37 – Armstrong’s background and life
• 14:19 – Early investigation challenges; rural context
• 24:14 – Wrongful arrests, false confessions, and investigation missteps
• 43:03 – Captain Smith’s cold case methodology and team operating procedures
• 48:01 – The role of forensic genealogy in solving cold cases today
• 59:01 – Focus shifts to James McBride II as suspect
• 60:17 – Detailed witness accounts and corroboration
• 62:26 – McBride’s interview and implicit non-denial
• 65:36 – Contact and collaboration between Smith and Sigler
• 68:29 – Armstrong family reaction, impact of resolution
• 69:18 – The feelings of closure for detectives and prosecutors
• 72:29 – Importance of exonerating the innocent

Concluding Thoughts

Captain Kevin Smith and Daniel Sigler's conversation with the Murder Sheet underscores the complexity and human cost of unsolved crimes—its impact on families, communities, and even law enforcement. While the suspect in Everett Armstrong’s case will never see trial, the episode highlights how persistence, evolving investigative methods, and the determination to bring dignity to victims and fairness to communities can finally bring long-awaited answers. The hosts, as well as their guests, convey the sense of hope and vindication that comes with breakthroughs—however late—in seemingly impossible cases.

For listeners seeking thorough, balanced coverage of true crime—with an emphasis on justice, investigative process, and the importance of truth—this episode is both insightful and resonant.