SPEEDWAY, Ind. – The building that housed a fast-food restaurant in Speedway, Indiana, and was connected to the 1978 murders of four young people is set to be demolished in the coming weeks. The former Burger Chef location, where the four workers were abducted and later found dead, has a dark history dating back to the unsolved killings that occurred over 45 years ago.
The bodies of Jayne Friedt, Daniel Davis, Mark Flemmonds, and Ruth Shelton were discovered a couple of days after the abduction, leading to a case that has remained unsolved for decades. Originally believed to be a case of petty theft, the murders have haunted both the local community and law enforcement for years. Former Speedway police officer Bill Jones, who was on patrol around the time of the killings, expressed the impact the building has had on the area, stating that “People drive by and see the building and they’re always reminded of what happened here.”
The building, which has undergone various transformations over the years, is located near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and is now expected to be replaced by a dental office. Despite attempts at redevelopment, the building has failed to sustain any successful business for more than a few months, according to Speedway Town Council President Vince Noblet. The former site of the CashLand pawn shop, the building’s history is intertwined with the tragic events of 1978.
Burger Chef, once a popular fast-food chain with locations across the country, has since closed its doors, leaving behind a legacy tainted by the unresolved murders. As the community prepares for the demolition of the building, the unsolved case continues to captivate the public’s interest, serving as a reminder of the tragic events that unfolded over four decades ago.