A Boone County judge has convicted Graham Bixler, 33, of Zionsville, Indiana, of murder in the 2024 killing of his mother, Kristin Bixler, after a two-day bench trial in which his lawyers argued he was not responsible by reason of insanity. Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood announced the verdict on October 13, 2026, saying the court found Bixler guilty but mentally ill of murder.
TL;DR: Graham Bixler, 33, was convicted by Boone Circuit Court Judge Lori Schein of killing his mother Kristin Bixler in April 2024, after a bench trial held October 6 and 7. The court rejected the defense’s insanity argument after hearing testimony from three independent mental health experts, entering a verdict of guilty but mentally ill of murder. Bixler is scheduled to be sentenced on November 4 at 2 p.m.
The Two-Day Bench Trial
Graham Murphy Bixler faced a bench trial — meaning Judge Lori Schein alone decided the case rather than a jury — in Boone Circuit Court on October 6 and 7, 2026, according to a prosecutor’s office announcement reported by the Zionsville Press. Prosecutors proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Bixler knowingly or intentionally killed his mother in April 2024, the announcement said.
Bixler’s attorneys asserted the defense of not responsible by reason of insanity. After weighing testimony from three independent mental health experts and the rest of the evidence, the court rejected that defense and entered a verdict of guilty but mentally ill of murder.
A Mother Afraid of Her Son
The case carried a painful detail that emerged from the investigation. Friends and family members told investigators that Kristin Bixler was afraid of her son’s violent and erratic behavior, and that she had begun sleeping in her car to keep herself safe, the Indianapolis Star reported.
She had wanted to sell her home and use the proceeds to pay for her son’s psychiatric treatment, her real estate agent told police.
How the Killing Came to Light
Kristin Bixler was found dead behind her Zionsville home on April 8, 2024, after a concerned family member called police for a welfare check. Graham Bixler was not home at the time. Later that day, detectives learned that he had already been placed under an emergency mental health hold after Carmel police found him bloodied and dressed inappropriately for the weather.
The Defense’s Case
According to local reporting by The Lebanon Reporter, Bixler’s lawyers said years of abusing psychedelic drugs had altered his mental capacities, and the son described the killing as having happened during what he claimed was a spirit possession. The court found those arguments did not meet the legal bar for insanity and held him criminally responsible while recognizing his mental illness.
Prosecutor: Accountability for the Victim
“After considering all of the evidence, the Court concluded that the State proved beyond a reasonable doubt that Graham Bixler murdered his mother, Kristin Bixler,” Prosecutor Eastwood said. “We extend our continued condolences to Kristin Bixler’s family and loved ones. While no verdict can undo the tremendous loss suffered, today’s conviction provides accountability for her death and represents an important step toward justice.”
The prosecutor’s office also thanked the deputy prosecutors, paralegal and victim advocacy staff, and the law enforcement officers who worked the case — singling out the Zionsville Police Department for its professionalism and commitment to seeking justice on behalf of the victim.
What Happens Next
Sentencing is set for November 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Boone Circuit Court. Under Indiana law, a person found guilty but mentally ill must be sentenced in the same manner as a defendant found guilty of the offense, but the court must order a mental health assessment before sentencing. Bixler will also undergo further psychiatric evaluation once in the custody of the Indiana Department of Correction.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Graham Bixler?
Graham Murphy Bixler, 33, is a Zionsville, Indiana, man who was convicted of murdering his mother, Kristin Bixler, in April 2024. A Boone Circuit Court judge found him guilty but mentally ill of murder following a two-day bench trial.
What does “guilty but mentally ill” mean in Indiana?
It means the court found the defendant criminally responsible for the offense but recognized that mental illness was a factor. Under Indiana law, the person is sentenced in the same manner as any defendant found guilty, but the court must order a mental health assessment before sentencing, and the defendant receives further psychiatric evaluation in the custody of the Department of Correction.
When did the killing happen?
April 2024. Kristin Bixler was found dead behind her Zionsville home on April 8, 2024, after a concerned family member called police for a welfare check.
What was the defense’s argument?
Bixler’s attorneys argued he was not responsible by reason of insanity. They said years of abusing psychedelic drugs had altered his mental capacities, and Bixler described the killing as happening during what he claimed was a spirit possession. The court heard testimony from three independent mental health experts and rejected the insanity defense.
Did Kristin Bixler fear her son?
According to the Indianapolis Star’s reporting, friends and family members told investigators that Kristin Bixler was afraid of her son’s violent and erratic behavior and had begun sleeping in her car to keep herself safe. She had wanted to sell her home to pay for his psychiatric treatment.
Was this a jury trial?
No. It was a bench trial, meaning Boone Circuit Court Judge Lori Schein heard the evidence and decided the verdict herself. The trial ran October 6 and 7, 2026.
When is Bixler’s sentencing?
Sentencing is scheduled for November 4, 2026, at 2 p.m. in Boone Circuit Court, according to the Boone County Prosecutor’s Office.
Who investigated the case?
The Zionsville Police Department led the investigation. Prosecutor Kent Eastwood publicly thanked the department for its professionalism, diligence, and commitment to seeking justice on behalf of the victim.
