MURDERED: Bobby Moore
What began as a whirlwind romance amid a murder in 1970s Washington, D.C, ended in a mysterious tragedy in small-town Indiana. Separated by five months, the deaths of Bobby and his wife, Barbara Moore, tore a town and a family apart.
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The exterior of the Moore residence
Courtesy: The Herald Republican
Bobby (Left) being led to a court hearing after Barbara’s death
Courtesy: The Herald Republican
Judge Louis A. Sisler
Courtesy: The Herald Republican
Bobby’s wife, Barbara Moore, who was formerly married to Louis Sisler.
Courtesy: The Herald Republican
Barbara’s son, Samuel Sisler
Courtesy: The Herald Republican
Timeline:
Detective Bobby Moore responds to a shooting in Washington, D.C., involving Judge Louis A. Sisler. Judge Sisler later dies at the hospital from gunshot wounds.
Bobby Moore marries Barbara Sisler, the widow of Judge Louis Sisler.
Bobby and Barbara Moore move to Fremont, Indiana.
Bobby is appointed town marshal of Fremont, Indiana.
Bobby and Barbara file for divorce but continue living in the same home in separate living spaces.
Around 10:30 p.m.
A domestic confrontation occurs in the basement of the Moore home, during which Barbara is shot and killed.
At 10:41 p.m.
Bobby calls 911 and reports that he shot Barbara in self-defense.
Bobby Moore is formally charged with the murder of his wife, Barbara Moore.
Prosecutors dismiss all charges against Moore, citing insufficient evidence to disprove self-defense.
The Fremont Town Board votes 2-1 to reinstate Moore as town marshal.
Around 10:30 p.m.
Bobby Moore is shot and killed outside his Fremont home by an unknown assailant using a high-powered rifle.
Indiana State Police seek Moore’s stepson, Samuel L. Sisler, for questioning.
Indiana State Police say there is not enough evidence to link Samuel Sisler to the killing.
Washington, D.C.
Where Detective Bobby Moore investigated the 1974 fatal shooting of Judge Louis A. Sisler.
Fremont, Indiana
The town where Bobby Moore later served as town marshal, where his wife, Barbara Moore, was shot in 1988, and where Bobby was killed five months later.
Crooked Lake, Indiana
Area near Fremont where Samuel Sisler’s vehicle was found after Bobby Moore’s murder.
Lafayette, Indiana
Where Samuel Sisler had previously been stationed with the Indiana State Police.
Please contact the authorities if you have any information about this case:
Indiana State Police Cold Case Investigations
Anyone with information about the death of Bobby Moore is asked to contact the Indiana State Police Cold Case Investigations at: 1-800-453-4756. Tips may also be submitted anonymously through Crimestoppers at crimetips.org.
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If you’re a law enforcement agency or family member of one of the people we mentioned in this episode, or if you’re looking for more coverage on a case, please reach out. You can email us at:
Episode Source Material
- Original Reporting by Jennifer Amell
- Associated Press. “Ex-Trainee Willing to Be Questioned in Moore Death.” The South Bend Tribune, 28 July 1988. Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/518835583. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- Barnes, Bart. “Ex-D.C. Detective Bobby R. Moore Sr. Fatally Shot at His Home in Indiana.” The Washington Post, 27 July 1988, archive.ph/aioV0. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- “Gun Lobbyist Shot Fatally by Persons Seeking Rapist.” The New York Times, 16 July 1974, www.nytimes.com/1974/07/16/archives/gun-lobbyist-shot-fatally-by-persons-seeking-rapist.html. Accessed 6 Oct. 2025.
- Harris v. United States. 377 A.2d 34. District of Columbia Court of Appeals, 1977. Westlaw, content.next.westlaw.com/Document/I4f52a613344311d98b61a35269fc5f88/View/FullText.html. Accessed 9 Oct. 2025.
- History.com. “The Watergate Scandal: A Timeline.” History, 9 Oct. 2018, updated 28 May 2025, www.history.com/articles/watergate-scandal-timeline-nixon. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
- Hoos, Ashlee. “30 Years Later the Question Remains: Who Killed Bobby Moore?” KPC News, 29 July 2018, www.kpcnews.com/heraldrepublican/article_05ddaa5f-cf8a-571f-b583-877fb7412b12.html. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- Hoos, Ashley. “Marshal Shoots Wife in ‘Self-Defense.’” KPC News, 5 Aug. 2018, archive.ph/SlUzV. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- Hoos, Ashley. “Moore Was Warned to Leave Town Prior to Murder.” The Herald Republican, 12 Aug. 2018, archive.ph/Pwi4l. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code § 36-5-7-2. “Appointment of Town Marshal; Compensation.” 2022, law.justia.com/codes/indiana/title-36/article-5/chapter-7/section-36-5-7-2/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- Indiana General Assembly. Indiana Code § 36-5-7-3. “Term; Service at Pleasure of Town Legislative Body.” 2022, codes.findlaw.com/in/title-36-local-government/in-code-sect-36-5-7-3/. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- Marturello, Mike. “Moore Was a Mild-Mannered Town Marshal.” The Herald Republican, 29 July 2018, archive.ph/xVaov. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- “Marshal Arrested for Manslaughter.” Chronicle Tribune, 29 Feb. 1988. Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/1072404260. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
- “Marshal Moore Is Gunned Down.” The Herald Republican, 28 July 1988. Personal archive of Mike Marturello.
- “Police Probe Break-In at Jackie’s amid Rumors Liddy Was Involved.” The Indianapolis Star, 24 Nov. 1974. Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/106885864/. Accessed 14 Oct. 2025.
- —. www.newspapers.com/image/106886033/.
- Rowe, Joe A. Motion to Dismiss Charges. State of Indiana v. Bobby R. Moore. Indiana Trial Court, 7 Apr. 1988. Court record, courtesy of Capt. Kevin Smith, Indiana State Police.
- “Sisler Says He Won’t Talk to Police.” The Herald Republican, 3 Aug. 1988. Personal archive of Mike Marturello.
- State of Indiana v. Bobby R. Moore. Probable Cause Affidavit, No. 76-C01-8802-CF-010. Indiana Trial Court, Feb. 1988.
- United Press International. “Ex-Cop to Confer with Attorney First.” Princeton Daily Clarion, 29 July 1988. Accessed 21 Oct. 2025.
- United Press International. “Lawman Reinstated.” Princeton Daily Clarion, 13 Apr. 1988. Newspapers.com, www.newspapers.com/image/1050741857. Accessed 3 Oct. 2025.
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