Donna Jacks

Man Arrested After Wife Found Dead In Home

Cause Of Woman's Death Undetermined

January 8, 2010

INDIANAPOLIS -- The husband of a woman found dead in their east side home Friday afternoon was arrested early Saturday after numerous weapons were found in the home, police said.

Indianapolis police said Richard Jacks, 56, called 911 at about 1 p.m. Friday and told dispatchers that he found his wife, Donna Jacks, 54, unresponsive at their home at 11314 Red Bush Drive, near North German Church Road and East 21st Street.

Medics called police to the scene after they determined Donna Jacks was dead.

"When the fire department arrived, they observed Mrs. Jacks in a state that led them to believe she had suffered some type of violent trauma," said Sgt. Paul Thompson.

Police found numerous weapons and military-style devices in the home, Thompson said, along with 31 cats.

Police said Jacks had enough live explosives in the home that if they all detonated, the explosion could have damages several nearby homes and injured numerous people.

Explosives experts removed 40mm projectiles from the home, munitions so dangerous that they are being held in a special place, police said. The weapons include military grade self-propelled grenades and numerous guns.

An autopsy was conducted Saturday, but results were not released. Thompson said the cause of Donna Jacks' death was still undetermined, but police said blood was found in the home.

Richard Jacks was arrested on 21 counts of possession of a destructive device. He was taken to Wishard Memorial Hospital after he became ill as investigators questioned him.

The Jacks had lived in Indianapolis for about 6 months. Neighbors told 6News they noticed a series of odd behaviors in that short period of time, such as Richard Jacks allegedly stealing water from his neighbors' outdoor water spigots.

"Really scary -- we pretty much stay as safe as we can, but you never know what your neighbors are going to have in their homes. You just absolutely have no idea," said neighbor Jennifer Northouse. "Very odd and disturbing."

Police said the only criminal history was Richard Jacks’ arrest for shoplifting last month.

Police will work with investigators from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives starting Monday to try to trace where the 40 mm projectiles came from and how they were obtained.