A Vigo County judge has set a 2026 trial date in a killing that has rattled parts of western Vigo County. On Monday, 42-year-old Christopher Dixie was given an Aug. 3, 2026 jury trial date on a murder charge in the death of his cousin, 38-year-old Victor Lee. Dixie made his initial court appearance that morning and is also scheduled for a status hearing on June 2. The criminal case follows the discovery of Lee’s body earlier this month in western Vigo County.
Body Found Off Darwin Road
According to investigators, mushroom hunters found Lee’s body in a pond off Darwin Road on April 12. An autopsy determined that Lee died from multiple stab wounds, as reported by WTHI-TV. The coroner later ruled the death a homicide, according to local radio outlet The Legend 105.5 FM. Authorities have not publicly released any motive in the case.
Court Documents Detail Evidence
Court filings obtained by local media state that Dixie, Lee and Dixie’s mother had been living in the same house before Lee’s death. Investigators reported finding blood stains in Dixie’s home and vehicle. The records also say that Lee’s vehicle was picked up on FLOCK cameras roughly 2.3 miles from the pond where his body was found, and that a review of Dixie’s phone showed Google searches including “how to clean up blood” and “can bleach blind you,” as reported by WTWO/WAWV. Police arrested Dixie at a home near Elm and View Avenue, according to those filings.
Court Schedule And Next Steps
The judge set Dixie’s jury trial for Aug. 3, 2026 and ordered a status hearing for June 2, according to WTHI-TV. Dixie is charged with murder and obstruction of justice and is expected to return to court as prosecutors and defense attorneys continue pretrial work and discovery. Additional hearings are anticipated as both sides prepare for the August jury trial.
Investigation Ongoing
Detectives say they are continuing to follow leads and have asked anyone with information about the case to contact the Vigo County Sheriff’s Office, local reporting notes. Court clerks and county officials declined to offer further comment at the initial hearing. Neighbors and relatives are watching closely for the next court dates as the investigation and prosecution move forward.
