The Timber Lake Murder: Who Killed Arthur Denton?

In the early morning hours of August 18, 1991, police are called to a quiet home on Middle Mount Vernon Road near Timber Lake in Posey County, Indiana. Inside, they find retired attorney Arthur Denton dead. His wife, Wilma "Doodle" Denton, claims she spent two hours bound to a chair in the basement, unable to help as her husband was murdered upstairs.

But almost immediately, questions surface.

In this episode, we dig into the Timber Lake murder — a case filled with contradictions, strange behavior, and a timeline that doesn’t quite add up. From Wilma Denton’s chilling account of that night to the physical evidence (or lack of it) found inside the home, investigators are left trying to determine whether this was a tragic home invasion… or something far more sinister.

As the investigation unfolds, theories collide, relationships are scrutinized, and the line between victim and suspect begins to blur.

More than three decades later, the murder of Arthur Denton still raises unsettling questions. Who killed him...and why?

Episode Summary & Timestamps
[00:00:00] The Routine of Arthur Denton An introduction to Arthur Denton—a man of absolute habit, a former deputy prosecutor, and a fixture of the Evansville legal community for over 50 years.

[00:02:15] The Breaking of the Pattern The sudden passing of Arthur's first wife, Eunice, in 1990 and the swift, unexpected marriage to his housekeeper, Wilma "Doodles" Scales, just months later.

[00:05:45] The Move to Middle Mount Vernon Road Detailing the relocation to a secluded Posey County home and the significant change to Arthur's will, naming Wilma the sole heir to his $317,000 estate.

[00:09:12] The Night of August 18, 1991 A breakdown of the crime scene and Wilma's account: a man in a ski mask, two hours of being bound to a chair in the basement, and the discovery of Arthur's body.

[00:12:30] The Investigation’s Oddities The mystery of the silent guard dogs, the unconfirmed missing cash, and the missing murder weapon that complicated the Indiana State Police's efforts.

[00:15:00] The Glove Box Discovery The revelation of a $15,000 check found in Wilma's car, which handwriting experts later identified as a "simulated forgery."

[00:17:45] The Legal Stalemate The 1992 grand jury, the suicide of Wilma’s brother, and the successful legal battle to prevent Wilma from having to provide a handwriting sample.

[00:19:15] Closing: A Legacy Without Justice A final look at the cold trail, Arthur’s enduring memory among his peers, and a call for anyone with information to come forward.

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