A man accused of killing two men at an Elizabethtown home and then setting the residence on fire has been indicted.
Dustin Caudill, 45, was indicted by a Hardin County Grand Jury on two counts of murder, first-degree arson, two counts of first-degree robbery, felony wanton endangerment, tampering with physical evidence, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon in the deaths of 41-year-old Blake France, of Greenville, and 43-year-old Anthony Garrett, of Elizabethtown, according to The News-Enterprise.
As K105 reported on Wednesday, October 30, the fire occurred at approximately 5:00 a.m. that morning in the 500 block of Henon Lane, approximately one quarter mile west of Elizabethtown High School. The wood-frame structure was fully engulfed in flames when firefighters arrived. Upon entering the home, Elizabethtown firefighters discovered two deceased adult males, according to Elizabethtown Police Department Public Affairs Officer Chris Denham.
Both France and Garrett died from multiple gunshot wounds.
At a press conference the morning of the fire/murders, Denham stated: “A person who has information concerning this investigation was identified within 90 minutes” of the bodies being discovered.
Police made contact with Caudill a motel on East Dixie Avenue after his vehicle, a gold pickup truck, was seen leaving the area of the house fire “at a high rate of speed,” Denham said.
“Video surveillance from the location showed Caudill exiting the vehicle and later discarding a handgun. Further investigation revealed personal belongings of the deceased victims inside Caudill’s motel room,” Denham said in a press release issued Wednesday evening.
“During the investigation,” according to Denham, “it was discovered that Caudill had also discharged his firearm at a third victim. During an interview, Caudill confessed to the offenses, specifically admitting to shooting the victims and intentionally setting fire to the residence. He further admitted to stealing wallets from the victims and discarding them in a gas station trash can.”
Caudill convicted as a teenager of killing mother, brother
The suspect in a double-murder and arson in Elizabethtown killed his mother and brother in Meade County in 1994.
Caudill was 15 when he committed the murders.
He spent 24 years in prison for killing his family members. He was released in 2020. In May 2023, he violated his parole and was sent back to prison before his release on July 1, 2024, WAVE.com reports.
Caudill is lodged in the Hardin Co. Detention Center on a $1 million cash bond.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
