Missing LaPorte Man Found Dead in Ditch

A man reported missing from LaPorte was found deceased yesterday afternoon by a mowing crew contractor in a grassy ditch on I-94. At approximately 2:08 p.m., detectives from the Indiana State Police and LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department responded to I-94 eastbound, roughly one mile west of the Portage exit, where they found the body located in a grassy ditch just south of I-94.

A contractor from a mowing crew that is contracted by the Indiana Department of Transportation to mow the grassy areas on the interstate found the body as he mowed the area. The deceased, identified as Ricky L. Kimble, 50 of LaPorte, was last seen Saturday, Aug. 3. Family had reported him missing to the LaPorte County Sheriff’s Department on Monday.

Family has been notified and autopsy results are pending at South Bend Memorial Hospital.

Anyone with who may have seen Kimble walking on I-80/94 interstate from late Saturday, Aug. 3 until early Tuesday, Aug. 6, contact Indiana State Police Detective Brian Kubiak at (219) 696-6242 or LaPorte County Sheriff’s Detective Ron Heeg at (219) 326-7700. Kimble was wearing brown shorts, white tank top, tan boots, carrying a black backpack. He was a black male, 6’ 1”, 258 pounds, with a shaved head.