Arrest Made in Shelburn Death Investigation
Sullivan County—This afternoon, after nearly 72 hours of continuous investigation, Indiana State Police and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office have made an arrest in the death of 35-year-old Rustin M. Rehmel of 115 West Broadway Street in Shelburn. Rehmel was found unresponsive in her home around 2:36a.m. August 15, 2016 and later pronounced deceased at the residence.
Arrested: Joshua Travis Hall, age 32, of Shelburn, IN.
Preliminary Charges: Voluntary Manslaughter (felony level 2)
Involuntary Manslaughter (felony level 5)
Reckless Homicide (felony level 5)
Criminal Confinement (felony level 5)
Battery Resulting in Serious Bodily Injury (felony level 5)
During the investigation, detectives developed information that indicates Joshua Hall and Rustin Rehmel were at Mickey’s Bar at 103 East Main Street in Farmersburg during the late evening hours of August 14, 2016 and the early morning hours of August 15, 2016. While at the bar, an argument began between the two with Joshua Hall allegedly battering Rehmel outside the bar in the parking area. Another patron of the bar, Ralph Burrel, saw that Rustin Rehmel was being battered outside the bar by Joshua Hall and Ralph Burrel attempted to break up the altercation. In doing so, Burrel was allegedly struck in the face by Joshua Hall, rendering Ralph Burrel injured and unable to help any further. The battering of Rustin Rehmel was ultimately stopped by a nephew of Burrel’s. Rehmel was transported home by the nephew and upon arrival at her home, Rehmel and the nephew were again confronted by Joshua Hall. Joshua Hall allegedly forced his way into the home, which he shared with Rehmel, through a window and confronted Rehmel. A brief scuffle between Hall and the nephew ensued, but ultimately the nephew left. At some point after the nephew left and with Joshua Hall still in the home, Rustin Rehmel became unconscious and unresponsive. Hall called the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Office via 911 reporting her condition. Sheriff Clark Cottom and EMS personnel attempted rescue efforts at the scene, but Rustin Rehmel was pronounced deceased in the home.
Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr, conducted an autopsy on Tuesday, August 16, 2016, and preliminarily determined Rustin Rehmel’s cause of death was blunt force trauma to the head and the manner of her death was homicide.
ISP Detective Tony Guinn and Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom served the Sullivan County arrest warrant this afternoon on Joshua Hall at the Sullivan County Jail. Hall had been incarcerated on allegations of battery against Ralph Burrel since the death of Rehmel. Hall’s incarceration mitigated public safety concerns and allowed investigators adequate time to gather evidence and conduct numerous interviews related to the death of Rustin Rehmel’s.
The lead investigator was ISP Detective Tony Guinn. Assisting were ISP Detectives First Sergeant Jason Fajt, Don Curtis, Troy Cobb, Michael Featherling, and Angie Hahn, Sullivan County Prosecutor John Springer, Sullivan County Sheriff Clark Cottom and deputies, ISP Crime Scene Investigators, Sullivan County Deputy Coroner Mary Ann Dudley, and Farmersburg Town Marshal George McAdams.
Attached pictures are Hall and Rehmel.
Under the Law, criminal charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
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SGT. JOE WATTS
