Abbie L. Vitoux

Police Probe Crown Point Woman's Death

June 25, 2005

CROWN POINT | An autopsy today on a 52-year-old woman found dead of blunt force trauma to the face and head should determine if she was also strangled, a Lake County Coroner's spokesman said.

Crown Point Police found Abbie L. Vitoux, 203 E. North St., at 8:15 a.m. Friday in her apartment after her employer reported she didn't show up for work, which was unusual.

As of Friday afternoon, detectives were questioning a person of interest, according to a press release from Crown Point Police Chief Keith Hefner.

The case has been ruled a homicide by the Lake County Coroner's office.

Shortly after 9 a.m. Crown Point police closed the 200 block of East North Street and taped off the area as curious local residents began gathering nearby. The quiet neighborhood, just a block north of the police department and city hall, was quickly transformed into a crime scene with at least 10 city and Lake County Sheriff's police vehicles filling the street.

Police could be seen interviewing neighbors up and down the block in the sweltering heat.

Vitoux's body was carried out of the home at about 10 a.m. behind white sheets held up to shield her from public view.

Initially, Hefner would only say the woman was found dead in her apartment on the home's second floor, one of two residences in the building. The home's owner occupies the other unit.

The victim's age immediately raised questions, he said.

Hefner would not comment on any evidence that led police to investigate.

The police department contacted the Lake County Sheriff's Department's Crime Scene team to conduct an investigation because the city does not have the manpower or equipment to do the detailed work needed, he said.

"This is not a normal situation," he said.

Also:

What happened in C.P. murder case?

Officials spent the past week trying to determine what went wrong in the case against Allen Vitoux, dear Abbie's son.

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