Brandi R. Thomas

Domestic violence deaths reviewed

Lafayette Police Investigations Captain Bruce Biggs said the Team reviewed the 2008 death of Brandi Thomas, who was found dead in a house fire after a fight with her boyfriend Jeremy Taylor. He was sentenced to 60 years for voluntary manslaughter and arson. Biggs said the group will meet April 28 to discuss a death from 2005.

(She was found dead and disfigured by fire after a fight with her boyfriend, Jeremy Taylor - his bloody clothes were found in nearby trash can - it is uncertain whether she died in the fire or was killed before.  Happened 1/10/2008.)

Obituary:

Brandi R. Thomas, age 34 of Lafayette, died at her residence on Thursday, January 10, 2008. Born in Lafayette on October 27, 1973 to Brenda (Ravenscraft) Johnson (husband, Roy) of Lafayette and Wayman D. Thomas of Lafayette, she was a lifetime resident. She had worked as a receptionist for Thomas Harris Insurance Agency and as a general laborer at SIA. She enjoyed reading, crocheting, traveling, and being around the water. Surviving with her parents are two sons, Jordan S. and Logan D. Thomas both of Lafayette, three brothers, Wayman D. Thomas, Jr. of Lafayette, Richard and James Glaze of Lafayette, a step-brother, Randy K. Johnson (wife, Lisa) of Brownsburg, maternal grandmother, Phyllis R. Ravenscraft and paternal grandmother, Onita Thomas. Visitation Friday, January 18, 2008 two hours prior to the 2 p.m. service at Hippensteel Funeral Home. Pastor Greg Tyra officiating. Interment at Tippecanoe Memory Gardens. Brandi loved animals, especially her dog, Sam. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by maternal grandfather, Malcolm "Mac" Ravenscraft and paternal grandfather, James E. Thomas. Hippensteel Funeral Home entrusted with care. Share memories and condolences online at www.hippensteelfuneralhome.com.

Kimberly Patches

1 gunshot killed 2 in trailer

Man's suicide apparently led to 2nd death: Coroner

January 8, 2008

A single shot from a muzzle-loading gun killed a Cromwell couple over the weekend in an apparent suicide with unintended consequences, the Noble County coroner said Monday.

Police were called about 9:15 p.m. Saturday to the Shady Acres Mobile Home Court, 3757 N 900 W, in Cromwell.

They found 48-year-old Kimberly Patches dead inside her mobile home at Lot 207, and another resident at the home, 40-year-old Shane Feightner, in critical condition.

Feightner was taken to Parkview Hospital in Fort Wayne, where he died just before 3 a.m. Sunday, police said.

Patches was standing within 10 feet behind Feightner when he shot himself with a muzzle-loading “long gun,” Noble County Detective Shawn Dunafin said.

That shot, the only one Feightner fired, went on to strike Patches.

Based on preliminary results of autopsies Monday, Feightner’s death has been ruled a suicide, Noble County Coroner Terry Gaff said. Patches’ death has been ruled an accidental homicide – meaning she died as a result of Feightner’s action, but apparently he didn’t intend to shoot her, Gaff said.

According to Dunafin, alcohol may have been a factor, although Gaff said it will be several weeks before toxicology tests are completed.

In general, a muzzle-loading rifle or other firearm is packed with gunpowder that ignites to fire a solid lead ball or bullet-type projectile, said Indiana State Police Detective Mark Heffelfinger, who could not comment specifically on the Cromwell case.

The Shady Acres Mobile Home Court has dealt with numerous police and fire department calls in recent years.

A man was shot with a Taser and arrested after he refused to surrender to police and let a woman leave his home in September.

In January 2007, 29-year-old Christine Ratliff drew an eight-year prison term for voluntary manslaughter after admitting to killing her boyfriend with a hammer in a home in the park.

That same month, the park saw its sixth unexplained fire since the summer of 2006. Several of those fires were ruled suspicious, authorities said at the time.

Laura M. Lewis

Woman found dead in Bloomington condo

Updated: Jan 15, 2008 7:01 PM EST

Lake Monroe - A woman was found dead in a condominium on Lake Monroe, and a man found in the condominium was taken to the hospital with injuries.

Indiana State Police Troopers were called to "The Pointe", a subdivision in southern Monroe County, by security for the subdivision to investigate the death of a female found in her residence just before 3:00 p.m.

Troopers arrived at 9586 S. Pointe LaSalle Drive and found 59-year-old Laura M. Lewis deceased.

Also found at the scene was an adult white male who was transported to the Bloomington Hospital.

Assisting at the scene was the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the Monroe County Coroner's Office.

(It was found she had been shot by her husband.)