Human remains found in Bartholomew County are those of a Columbus woman.

Bartholomew County Coroner Clayton Nolting announced the findings of the autopsy as the remains identified as Heather Ann Steuver, 37, of Columbus.  The remains were found in a shallow grave just off of 400 N. between U.S. 31 and River Rd. 

“The Coroner’s Office has ruled cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head and manner of death to be homicide," stated Coroner Clayton Nolting.

The Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Office had taken a missing person’s report on August 26 for Steuver.  The report was assigned to Bartholomew County Sheriff’s Detective Kevin Abner.  As the investigation was worked by Abner, he indicated that he thought there were suspicious circumstances around Steever’s disappearance.  

As the investigation continued Det. Abner talked with Steuver’s boyfriend, Patrick Even David Doyle, 38, of Columbus.  After Abner spoke with Doyle and additional information was gathered, Doyle was preliminarily charged with Possession of Child Pornography - a Level 5 Felony.

At that time a 48-hour hold, with no bond, was placed on Doyle after the arrest on September 9.  As the investigation went forward, deputies went to the area where the human remains were recovered.  As a result of information obtained by Det. Abner, and Coroner Nolting's findings from the autopsy of Steuver, Patrick Even David Doyle was preliminarily charged with the murder of Steuver.

“Doyle is in the Bartholomew County Jail, not only with a preliminary charge of child pornography, he also faces a preliminary charge of Murder,” said Bartholomew County Sheriff Matthew A. Myers. 

Doyle has also been placed on a 72-hour hold, without bond, as the investigation is completed and sent to the Bartholomew County Prosecutor's Office. Detective Abner had been working with Chief Deputy Prosecutor Greg Long after the human remains were located.   

Major Lane also praised the work done by Detective Abner during this investigation. 

“Abner put in long hours and worked diligently to obtain this result," added Major Lane.