Unsolved homicide: William Balfour Sr.

Homicides go unsolved every day. For nearly four years, I have interviewed many relatives and friends of unsolved homicide victims. In addition, I interview families whose loved ones have gone missing. The Catch my Killer podcast draws attention to missing people and murder victims who don't always receive media coverage.

It has been my experience that victims are often negatively affected by lifestyle decisions or criminal activity. But there are many cases where people are murdered for no apparent reason. However, it happens. William Balfour Sr. would be one of those individuals. Recently, I interviewed Consuela and LaShea Balfour about their father William’s unsolved homicide in Muncie, Indiana.

William Balfour Sr. was a retired grandfather. The Muncie resident enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren. According to Lashea and Consuela, William was definitely the family patriarch. Lashea, William's youngest daughter spoke to him daily, cooked meals for him and did everything she could to make his life comfortable.

It was important for both sisters to make sure William did not overexert himself as he was handicapped. He had grandsons and other family members to take care of any physical tasks that needed to be done. It was important to them that he enjoy his retirement, spend time with his family, and relax.

Before 11 p.m. on July 1, 2019, Lashea Facetimed her father. He then changed into his pajamas before getting ready for bed. Unfortunately, William wouldn’t be getting any rest that evening. Consuela said a friend named "Dee" had shown up at the house and requested a ride home.

I will call the friend "Dee" in this story as she has not been named by law enforcement as a person of interest.

William got out of bed and left with Dee. Family members said the trip to her home shouldn't have taken long. William had given this friend rides home in the past, so the request wasn't deemed unusual or suspicious.

A few hours later, Lashea's son became concerned when his grandfather had not returned home. He tried calling his grandfather's friend, but she didn't answer. The next morning, the family discovered that William's 2001 Lincoln had been the scene of a crime. William, still in his pajamas, was discovered outside his vehicle at Blaine and Centennial. Someone had beaten the elderly grandfather to death.

Family members were stunned by his death. William's family couldn't understand why anyone would hurt him. Also, the family wondered what happened to Dee since she wasn’t at the crime scene. Consuela got into her vehicle and searched for Dee. Upon finding the friend, Consuela drove her to the Muncie police station. According to Consuela and Lashea, law enforcement let the friend leave without charges.

Consuela began investigating her father's death. She spoke with a witness who lived at Dee’s house. According to him, she came home upset. She allegedly had blood on her clothing and defecated on herself. After cleaning herself up, he said she left.

According to the witness, Dee told him she had just murdered someone. She then recanted her statement and said she was kidding. When she made the statement, he hadn’t known William was deceased. He presented Consuela with an article of bloody clothing belonging to Dee. Law enforcement refused to accept the evidence because they weren't the ones who seized it. I had asked the sisters why Dee hadn't been arrested. Both said she claimed that she didn't know anything.

According to her, he must have been killed after driving her home. However, this contradicts the witness's statement who said she came home upset with blood on her clothing. The witness said she was frantic and in a hurry to leave.

Four years have passed since someone brutally beat William Balfour Sr. to death. Consuela has photographs of her father’s beaten body. According to her, she does not want other family members to see the photos because they are too brutal. The family is frustrated with the investigation and wants the case transferred to the Indiana State Police. Family members believe Dee knows much more about William's death than she's ever revealed.

William was a retired grandfather. After he retired, family was his number one priority. Without him, his family feels lost. Even worse, his killer remains at large. Who killed William Balfour Sr. on July 2, 2019? Someone out there knows. The family is pleading for your help. How would you feel if William were your grandfather? Wouldn't you want him to receive justice? If you have a valuable tip, you can contact Muncie Crime Stoppers at 765-286-4050.

Marc is a longtime resident of Clermont County and an avid reader. Contact him through his website at www.themarcabe.com or through Facebook: www.Facebook.com/themarcabe or his twitter account @themarcabe. Marc also has a podcast called Catch my Killer where he interviews family members seeking justice for their murdered loved ones. You can listen at www.catchmykiller.com.