FARMERSBURG, IN – Investigators with the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office and Indiana State Police, continue to seek answers in the 1981 murder of 51-year-old Sarah “Jeanette” Benson of Farmersburg.

On the evening of January 2, 1981, Benson returned home from shopping in Terre Haute, to be surprised by an intruder inside her Farmersburg home.

Benson’s husband, Emory, was at work in Terre Haute at the time.

Neighbors described seeing a blue sedan parked in the Benson’s driveway, just prior to her returning home.

One of the witnesses thought the vehicle was a blue Plymouth Valiant while another thought it might be a shiny blue Chevrolet.

A third witness described the sedan as being “very clean”.

One neighbor observed a white male near the home who was wearing a vest. The man then was seen knocking on the Benson’s front door.

The male was described as tall and thin, possibly in his 20’s – at the time.

Investigators believe this man was likely the killer.

Investigators exhausted many leads over the years but have not been able to develop sufficient information for an arrest.

Archive newspaper articles from the time made no mention of the description of the suspect or the blue sedan.

Investigators, and the Benson family remain hopeful, that sharing this information may spark someone’s memory.

Over time relationships change, and it is not uncommon that someone with information could come forward, to bring closure to this senseless murder.

Police remind the public that the killer would now likely be in his 50’s.

If you know of any information concerning Mrs. Benson’s murder, you are asked to contact the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office at 812-268-4308 or the Indiana State Police at 765-653-4114.

* The vehicle pictures are not of the actual suspect vehicle. They are being provided as examples.