Human Remains Found Near Acuff Road Identified as Missing Bloomington Man

Written from press release

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Human remains discovered in March during land clearing for a housing development on the north side of Bloomington have been identified as those of a man reported missing in 2022, according to a press release issued Monday by the Monroe County Coroner’s Office.

On March 26, 2025, a work crew clearing property in the 1000 block of Acuff Road discovered what appeared to be human remains. The discovery was reported to local law enforcement, who in turn contacted the Monroe County Coroner’s Office. A forensic anthropology team from the University of Indianapolis was called in to assist with the recovery and identification process.

The remains were officially collected on March 27 with assistance from investigators and forensic experts. Dental records confirmed the remains belonged to 40-year-old John E. Baker Jr. of Bloomington.

Baker had been missing since 2022, when he was last seen walking into the woods near Meadows Hospital. Despite an initial search effort, thick vegetation in the area hindered recovery efforts and he was never found.

The Monroe County Coroner, Jeffery L. Hall, determined that Baker died by suicide from a self-inflicted injury.

No further information was released.

“If you are in crisis, please call, text or chat with the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, or contact the Crisis Text Line by texting TALK to 741741.”

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