Murder-Suicide Claims Lives of Hancock Native and Husband
By Jennifer Wimmer
Indiana State Police are investigating a murder-suicide that claimed the lives of a Hancock County native and her husband Tuesday afternoon in Santa Claus, Indiana.
Jamie Conder Adkins, 48, a graduate of Hancock County High School, and her husband, John Earl Adkins, 49, died from gunshot wounds following a shooting at their home. Police responded to the residence on Oct. 14 at about 12:17 p.m. after Jamie Adkins called 911, reporting she had shot her husband.
When officers from the Indiana State Police, Santa Claus Police Department and Spencer County Sheriff’s Office arrived, they initially could not make contact with anyone inside. Upon entering the home, they found John Adkins deceased from gunshot wounds. Jamie Adkins was gravely wounded by a self-inflicted gunshot and was transported to Owensboro Health Regional Hospital, where she later was pronounced dead.
Initial findings indicate Jame Adkins shot her husband before taking her own life. Investigators confirmed she admitted to law enforcement that she had shot John Adkins. Authorities have not released information about a possible motive or other circumstances leading to the deaths.
All family members have been notified. The incident remains under investigation pending autopsy results, which are being conducted in Vanderburgh, Chrisney and Spencer counties. As of Oct. 21, no new information has been released.
