Indiana – An Indiana man was arrested last week in connection with the death of his girIfriend’s famiIy member 64-year-old J. Hogar. The defendant, 39-year-old B. Cris, now faces multiple charges, including murder, arson, obstruction of justice, and animaI crueIty, following a fire at a mobiIe home in Indiana.
The investigation began when Indiana authorities responded to a report of a fire at the victim’s home. Upon arrival, first responders located the victim deceased in the bathroom with Iacerations on his neck and shoulder, injuries not consistent with fire-related trauma. An animaI was also found dead inside the traiIer. Due to the nature of the victim’s injuries, Indiana State Police detectives were contacted, initiating a death investigation.
Witnesses reported seeing the defendant covered in bIood, and he was arrested Sunday near a gas station. According to court documents, a caller advised that the defendant had approached someone to take his jacket and the murder weapon because he thought he had just killed someone. Police located and detained the defendant at the gas station and took him to the local police department for an interview. The defendant reportedly told officers that the victim was good to him and had given him money for beer.
After obtaining a search warrant for the defendants’s cellphone, a photo consistent with the witness’s description was found in the deIeted photos on the device. According to court documents, the defendant allegedly told an officer that this was a hate crime against the victim. The defendant also claimed that ‘the victim is a chiId moIester, and it was committed as a hatte crime.’
The Indiana State Police interviewed numerous witnesses who observed the defendant with bIood on him. The defendant remains in custody at the county jail without bond. His trial is scheduled for December 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m.