Darleen E Anderson

A woman and her husband are found dead in their home
In the quiet, rural community of Mongo in LaGrange County, Indiana, Darleen E. Anderson was known as a loving wife and a dedicated employee. At 57 years old, the White / Caucasian woman was looking forward to her retirement after a long career of 35 years at the Kraft Foods plant in nearby Kendallville. She and her husband, Terry A. Anderson, 59, had built a life on their property at 6270 East 250 North, where they were well-regarded by neighbors and friends.

The peace of their life was shattered on the morning of October 21, 2005. When the couple’s 20-year-old daughter, Amanda, arrived to pick her father up for work, she and Darleen’s mother made a horrifying discovery. Inside the home, Darleen was found on her living room couch, apparently attacked while settling in for the evening with a bowl of popcorn and a book. There were no signs of a struggle or forced entry. Later that morning, police located Terry’s body in a pole barn on the property. The Indiana State Police determined that both Darleen and her husband had been killed by blunt force trauma to the head in what was ruled a double homicide.

The initial investigation, led by the Indiana State Police, suggested robbery as a motive. Several items were missing from the home, including money, an old muzzleloader, and some coins, though other valuables like Darleen's jewelry were left behind. Detectives worked to piece together the events of that night, questioning friends, family, and associates. The community was shocked by the brutal crime, which stood in stark contrast to the tranquility of the area.

For years, the investigation continued with no arrests made. A man named Terry Durbin, who had worked with Terry Anderson at a tree service, was identified early on as a person of interest. Investigators and the county prosecutor have since publicly labeled him a suspect. Durbin’s name became more prominent after he was arrested, tried, and convicted for the 2009 murder of Patrick Cheadle in Ohio, a crime for which he was sentenced to 60 years in prison. Despite the LaGrange County sheriff’s confidence that the case against Durbin for the Anderson murders was strong, the county prosecutor maintained that there was not enough evidence to secure a conviction, and charges were never filed against him.

From prison, Durbin has denied any involvement in the Andersons' deaths, claiming the accusations are just rumors. The lack of a resolution has left room for other theories to persist. Terry Anderson’s older daughter, Sherry Musilek, has voiced her belief that more than one person was likely involved, finding it hard to believe one man could have overpowered her father and then killed Darleen without leaving more evidence. Suspicion also fell on the Andersons' daughter, Amanda, who had a drug problem and whose behavior following the murders—including allegedly going on a shopping spree—raised questions for some family members. Tragically, any answers she might have held were lost when she died of a drug overdose in 2014.

As of late 2025, the murders of Darleen and Terry Anderson remain officially unsolved. The case is a painful cold case for their surviving family, who continue to hold memorials and maintain a social media page in pursuit of justice. Investigators with the Indiana State Police still have the case open and encourage anyone with information to come forward. A reward may be available for information that leads to an arrest and conviction. Anyone with knowledge about the case is asked to contact the Indiana State Police Post in Fort Wayne.