After 20 years, police have arrested a suspect in a Johnson County cold case involving the murder of a little boy and his stepmother.
Sean Dickus went home on July 24, 2006, to find the murders of his 10-year-old son Blake Dickus and his 26-year-old wife Chynna Dickus. Their murderer went unpunished for more than two decades.
Throughout those two decades, billboards and posters advertized a $25,000 prize for any information leading to an arrest. Then, in late September 2026, the incentive was increased to $100,000.
Police believe they have identified the individual responsible for Blake and Chynna’s deaths.
On Friday afternoon, the Franklin Police Department revealed that a grand jury had returned an indictment against Michael Jerome James, 35, in connection with the cold case. He has since been arrested on two counts of murder.
“For 20 years, Blake and Chynna’s families have carried the weight of an unimaginable loss waiting for this day,” a statement said. “On behalf of the Franklin Police Department, I want them to know that we have never forgotten their loved ones and will never give up seeking justice. Today’s development is significant not just for our department, but also for the families of Blake and Chynna, whose lives were cut short.”
Police Chief Kirby Cochran stated that investigators were “persistent” in evaluating evidence, following leads, using forensic science, and remained devoted to the murder investigation. The grand jury indictment follows a “extensive” three-week study of material and witnesses.
During the trial, jurors reportedly heard testimony from both law enforcement and deputy prosecutors. In the end, the grand jury produced a “true bill” charging James with two counts of felony murder.
Johnson County Prosecutor Lance D. Hamner confirmed the indictment in a statement issued Friday afternoon.
“This tragic crime occurred during my first tenure as Johnson County Prosecutor in 2006, and the tragedy has remained with me ever since,” Hamner stated. “In fact, one of the key reasons I decided to quit the bench as a judge and run for prosecutor again was to pursue justice in this case. This was something I couldn’t discuss at the time.
Hamner finished by stating that, under Indiana’s statutory grand jury secrecy restrictions, his office is unable to divulge any additional information about the evidence presented against James or the grand jury’s deliberations at this time.
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