HARDIN COUNTY – Nearly a year after Michael Bolen was reported missing, his son, Dustin Ray Bolen, has pleaded guilty to multiple charges in connection with his death.
Dustin appeared Wednesday, March 5, in Hardin County Common Pleas Court and pleaded guilty to murder, a first-degree felony; gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony; and tampering with evidence, a third-degree felony.
His sentencing is scheduled for April 2, at 9 a.m. in the Hardin County Common Pleas Court.
The case began on March 21, 2024, when Michael Bolen was reported missing by a family member. Investigators conducted interviews with family and community members while extensive searches were carried out in and around the McGuffey area. Dustin Bolen became a person of interest early in the investigation. On April 5, 2024, he was taken into custody for violating a no-contact court order that stemmed from a domestic violence case, in which Michael Bolen was the victim. He was later transferred to a Community-Based Correctional Facility.
From April through November 2024, multiple searches were conducted by the Hardin County Sheriff’s Office, Michael Bolen’s family, and community members. Authorities searched Michael Bolen’s residence, western Hardin County, and nearby waterways, often using cadaver dogs. Despite these efforts, no trace of Michael Bolen was found. The investigation continued with forensic analysis, witness interviews, and security footage reviews. On November 6, 2024, a Hardin County Grand Jury indicted Dustin Bolen on seven criminal charges, including murder, abuse of a corpse, and tampering with evidence. The next day, deputies took him into custody from the correctional facility and transported him to the Multi-County Jail to await trial.
On December 16, 2024, Dustin Bolen confessed to family members that he had killed his father and buried him in the crawl space of their home on Hunsicker Street. The next day, authorities executed a search warrant at the residence and discovered Michael Bolen’s remains in a section of the crawl space with very limited access. Investigators determined that Dustin Bolen had cut out a section of the floor, hidden his father’s body, and then replaced the flooring to conceal the crime. Michael Bolen’s remains were exhumed and sent to Montgomery County for autopsy and identification.
The Hardin County Sheriff’s Office led the investigation with assistance from multiple agencies, including the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, Hardin County Crime Task Force, Hardin County Special Response Team, Hardin County Drone Team, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, the Hardin County Prosecutor’s Office, the FBI, and the fire departments of Kenton, Alger, and McGuffey.
The sheriff’s office expressed appreciation for the community’s support and assistance throughout the investigation. In a statement, officials acknowledged the extensive search efforts and the dedication of those involved, adding that they are grateful the family can now begin the long process of closure.