Bio

Calvin D. Perry III was born on October 02, 1965. He grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Calvin lived close to the family of Dan and Jane Osborne. The Osbornes were a well-known family in the neighborhood. Dan Osborne worked as the editorial page editor of the Fort Wayne News-Sentinel. His family included his wife, Jane, and their children, including their 11-year-old son, Ben.

At the age of 18, Calvin was arrested on January 6, 1984. He was taken into custody after being tracked down by police dogs. He had been a suspect in a series of crimes, including robbery and assault. During questioning, Calvin confessed to several crimes. These included serious offenses against both adults and children.

On January 17, 1984, just days after his arrest, he was found dead in his jail cell. It was reported that he had taken his own life. 

Murder Story

On September 17, 1983, Calvin D. Perry III committed a series of violent crimes in Fort Wayne, Indiana. He brutally murdered Dan and Jane Osborne and their 11-year-old son, Ben. Perry used a baseball bat to bludgeon them. The family’s dog was also killed during this incident, and their 2-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted and beaten but survived.

Calvin Perry was arrested on January 6, 1984, after police dogs tracked him down. He had a history of violent behavior and was suspected of multiple crimes. During his interrogation, he confessed to a number of felonies, including the murders of the Osbornes. He provided specific details about the crime scene and his actions, which were recorded on video. Evidence found in Perry's home included the victims’ belongings.

Just days after his confession, on January 16, 1984, Calvin Perry was found dead in his jail cell. He had hanged himself using strips of a canvas-like mattress cover. Officials stated that there were no signs of a struggle, and they ruled his death a suicide. However, his death sparked suspicion among the community, particularly among many African Americans, who believed that his confession might have been coerced.

Following his death, community leaders and activists called for investigations into the circumstances surrounding his suicide. They raised concerns about racial tensions and treatment of Perry while in custody. Despite the protests and inquiries, the official conclusion was that Perry had taken his own life, marking the end of a tragic case.