SPEEDWAY, Ind. (AP) – The site of a former fast-food restaurant linked to the unsolved murders of four young people in 1978 in Speedway, Indiana, is set to be demolished in the coming weeks. The building, once a Burger Chef and most recently a pawn shop, will make way for a new dental office, town officials told local news stations.
The Burger Chef restaurant was where four workers were abducted in 1978. The bodies of Jayne Friedt, 20; Daniel Davis, 16; Mark Flemmonds, 16; and Ruth Ellen Shelton, 18, were found a couple of days later in the next county. The murders have remained unsolved for 45 years, and the building has been a haunting reminder of the tragedy.
Former Speedway police officer, Bill Jones, reflected on the impact of the abandoned building, stating, “People drive by and see the building and they’re always reminded of what happened here.” The building, near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, has gone through various iterations but has never been able to sustain a successful business in recent years.
Town Council President Vince Noblet acknowledged the challenges of redeveloping the building, noting that it has housed several unsuccessful shops over the years. The upcoming demolition and construction of a dental office are expected to revitalize the area and bring new life to the site.
The former fast-food location is tied to a dark chapter in the town’s history, but the community is looking forward to a fresh start with the upcoming demolition and redevelopment. For the families of the victims, the closure of the site might provide some solace as they continue to seek justice for their loved ones. The demolition of the building marks a new beginning for the area, as it looks to move past the unsolved murders that have haunted the community for nearly half a century.