On the morning of April 22, 2023, the body of 27-year-old Manuel Eduardo Heaton of Evansville was found near the Scaup Pit at Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area in northwestern Warrick County, Indiana. Heaton, a Hispanic male, was determined to have died of gunshot wounds. His car was nearby but personal items including his cellphone and a handgun were missing, and robbery was mentioned as a possible motive.

Investigators identified and arrested 40-year-old Johnathon Buza of Evansville three days later; he was charged with murder, felony murder, robbery resulting in serious bodily injury, and unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. The two men were known to each other and had reportedly gone on an overnight fishing trip together to the wildlife area before Heaton was found. Tracking of Heaton’s stolen cellphone placed it near Buza’s residence in Evansville.

The case was scheduled to go to trial beginning July 22, 2025. Does anyone have information about Heaton, the fishing trip, or the area around St. Johns and Kansas Roads that could help clarify what happened?