Cold Case Files: Who killed a beloved Ardmore high school coach and teacher in October of 1973?
- Dennis McCaslin
- Jul 8
- 2 min read
In Ardmore, the 1973 murder of J.C. Dunn remains an open wound.
A respected high school coach and former minor league baseball player, Dunn was found dead in his home at 47, leaving behind a mystery that has stumped investigators for nearly five decades.
J.C. Dunn was a familiar face in Ardmore, coaching baseball and basketball at the high school and teaching classes.
Before that, he played minor league baseball, known for his work ethic. He was a mentor to many, shaping young athletes in a town where sports mattered.
On October 24, 1973, Dunn taught his first-period class but left early, saying he felt ill. At 10:30 a.m., he called the school, mentioning a hang-up call he’d received at his Campbell Street home. He said he might return later.
He never did.
His wife found him that afternoon, slumped against the bathroom wall with a 12-gauge shotgun in his hand. The fatal shot had struck behind his right ear. At first, it looked like suicide, but police ruled it homicide.
The shell casing was missing, Dunn’s wallet and money clip were empty, and an alarm clock set for noon had been turned off
Police arrested Dewey Lindsay, a 68-year-old rancher and friend who stayed at Dunn’s house the night before. The two gambled together, and investigators found shredded checks from Lindsay to Dunn.
But Lindsay passed a polygraph test and was released. No charges were filed.
Over the years, police interviewed more than a dozen people, but leads dried up. Some evidence has been lost, and the motive—possibly tied to gambling or a personal dispute—remains unclear
Dunn’s wife and two sons have lived without answers for decades. The Ardmore Police Department recently reopened the case, hoping new forensic methods or a witness might break it open.
“We want to solve it before it’s too late to talk to people who might know something,” said Capt. Keith Ingle.
Ardmore hasn’t forgotten Dunn. Locals still discuss the case, and some believe someone knows the truth.
If you have information about J.C. Dunn’s murder, contact the Ardmore Police Department at 580-221-2524.
