Atlanta, Indiana, is the kind of place where everyone basically knows your business before you do. It’s a quiet town of about 700 people tucked away in northern Hamilton County. For years, Andy Emmert was a fixture here. He wasn't just some guy; he was the Utility Superintendent and Building Commissioner. He’d even served on the town council. If you had a problem with your water or a question about a building permit, you went to Andy.
But things took a dark, surreal turn in October 2024. People woke up to see Indiana State Police troopers swarming the town. They weren't just at the Town Hall; they were at Emmert’s house on the corner of North Walnut and Meridian. They weren't just asking questions, either. They were hauling away classic Oldsmobile Cutlasses on flatbed trucks.
The 1992 Cold Case of Tony Bledsoe
For months, the town held its breath. Why was the state police raiding their building commissioner? The answer eventually arrived, and it was more gruesome than anyone could have imagined. It traces back to March 1992 and the disappearance of a 24-year-old man named Tony Bledsoe.
Bledsoe had vanished after leaving his home in a gray 1971 Oldsmobile Cutlass. A torso was later found in a ravine in Putnam County—near Greencastle—but the head, hands, and feet were missing. For over three decades, the case sat cold. That changed when a man named Thomas Anderson was arrested and charged with murder in May 2025.
Anderson didn't just stay quiet. He started talking to investigators, and he pointed a finger directly at his lifelong friend, Andy Emmert. According to court documents, Anderson claimed that he and Emmert had stolen a Pontiac Firebird in Wisconsin back in 1990. They allegedly stripped a $3,000 stereo from it and traded it to Tony Bledsoe for auto parts.
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Bledsoe later realized the stereo was hot. He wasn't happy.
What Really Happened in the Noblesville Duplex?
The narrative Anderson provided to the Hamilton County Prosecutor’s Office is like something out of a horror movie. He claims he and Bledsoe went to a duplex in Noblesville where Emmert was living to get Bledsoe’s parts back.
Anderson alleges that once they were inside, Emmert was waiting with a rifle. The story gets graphic: Anderson claims Emmert shot and stabbed Bledsoe multiple times. To make the body unidentifiable, Anderson told police that Emmert used a fixed-blade knife—described as a "Boy Scout knife"—to remove Bledsoe's head, hands, and feet. These parts were supposedly placed in a "pickle bucket" filled with concrete.
They then allegedly spray-painted the torso black to hide it better before dumping it in that Putnam County ravine.
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Honestly, the most chilling part for the residents of Atlanta wasn't just the details; it was the "Boy Scout knife." When police raided Andy Emmert’s Atlanta Indiana home in late 2024, they reportedly found a knife matching that exact description—shiny fixed blade, leather handle, metal pommel—sitting inside a safe.
Termination and the Current Legal Standing
As of mid-2026, the legal situation is a bit of a stalemate for Andy Emmert. While Thomas Anderson has been charged with murder, Emmert has not been formally charged in connection with the 1992 killing.
The Hamilton County Prosecutor, Josh Kocher, has been clear that the investigation remains open and they are looking for "potential other suspects." However, the town of Atlanta didn't wait for a jury. In May 2025, the Town Council held a tense special meeting.
- The council voted 4-1 to terminate Emmert’s employment.
- Council President Murry Dixon was the lone "no" vote, arguing that Emmert hadn't been charged and should be considered innocent until proven guilty.
- Residents like Lonnie Dial disagreed, stating that being named in a murder investigation was "too deep" for a public official.
It’s a mess. You’ve got a family—the Bledsoes—who have waited 34 years for answers. Tony’s son, Ryan, even traveled from Oklahoma to attend the meeting where Emmert was fired, calling it a "step toward justice."
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Actionable Insights for Following the Case
If you're following this story, it's important to look past the headlines. Small-town politics and high-stakes cold cases rarely resolve quickly.
Check Official Court Records: Since this is an ongoing investigation in Hamilton County, Indiana, keep an eye on the Indiana MyCase portal. Any formal charges against "Andrew Emmert" or updates on Thomas Anderson's trial will appear there first.
Understand the "Named but Not Charged" Status: In Indiana, a person can be named in a probable cause affidavit (like the one for Thomas Anderson) without being immediately arrested. Prosecutors often wait until they have enough corroborating evidence—beyond just a co-conspirator's testimony—to ensure a conviction.
Community Impact: For those in the Atlanta and Arcadia area, the utility duties have been absorbed by the town of Arcadia. If you are a resident, ensure your records with the new administration are up to date, as the transition from Emmert's long tenure was abrupt.
The investigation is still very much alive. Whether the "pickle bucket" or the cars hauled from the Walnut Street property provide the DNA evidence needed for a secondary charge remains the biggest question in Hamilton County right now.