SPEEDWAY, Ind. – One of the most notorious unsolved crimes in Indianapolis-area history will soon see a significant change as the former Burger Chef building is set to be demolished. The former fast-food restaurant in Speedway was the site where four young workers were abducted in 1978 and found slain two days later in a field a county away.
The free-standing building, located a short distance west of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, will be torn down and replaced by a dental office, according to local town officials. In the past, the building has housed various shops, but none have lasted more than a few months.
The abductions of the four young fast-food workers occurred 45 years ago, when the victims were taken at closing time on November 17, 1978. Their bodies were later found in a Johnson County field, still dressed in their brown and orange work uniforms.
This tragic event has left a lasting impact on the community. “People drive by and see the building and they’re always reminded of what happened here,” said Bill Jones, a former Speedway police officer. The memory of the unsolved murders still lingers for many in the area.
The former Burger Chef building is a grim reminder of the heinous crime that took place there. Now synonymous with the tragic events of 1978, the building’s impending demolition marks the end of an era for the community. The once-thriving fast-food location will soon be replaced, but the memories of the unsolved abductions and killings will continue to haunt the residents of Speedway and the wider Indianapolis area.