Mary Swift

Mary Swift

Stereo Volume Led To Killing Of Women

Man Arrested On 2 Counts Of Murder After Indianapolis Shooting

August 12, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man was arrested Friday morning after a shooting rampage over a loud stereo that resulted in the deaths of two women and critical injuries to another man, Indianapolis police said.

The shooting happened about 1:30 a.m. in the 1700 block of South State Avenue, and officers who were patrolling the area at the time reported hearing shots fired.

Edward Lay, 37, of Indianapolis, was arrested on two counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and being a serious violent felon in possession of a firearm.

The victims were identified as Mary Swift, 37, of Indianapolis, and Kelly Jinks, 33. The man who was shot was identified as Ronald Kortz II, 40, of Indianapolis.  Kortz underwent surgery Friday and was listed in critical but stable condition at Wishard Memorial Hospital.

Witnesses told police that Swift and Lay argued over the volume of a stereo and that Lay pulled out a handgun and shot Swift multiple times. She was pronounced dead at the scene.  Jinks and Kortz were shot as they tried to intervene in the argument, police said.

"Edward Lay attempted to flee but was apprehended … a short distance from the scene," said Kendale Adams, Indianapolis police public information officer.

Neighbors told 6News' Stacia Matthews that Swift has four children and had been dating Lay for a short time.  "Mary was an awesome woman. She didn't deserve this at all," said neighbor Edna Reeves. "She was such an awesome woman and her kids are going to suffer the most."

Arguments were common, neighbors said.  "They was constantly arguing over there. It get pretty high pitched, but I didn't expect anything like this," said Richard Reeves.

Lay has a criminal background, Indianapolis police said.

Obituary:

Mary Ann Swift, 37, died Friday, Aug. 12, 2011, in Indianapolis. She was a resident of Indianapolis.

Survivors include her mother, Patricia E. (Ralph) Tuttle of Texas; her father, Melvin L. Mann of Ohio; four children, Brittany N. Swift of Indianapolis and Dustin E., Dylan P. and Alexandria L. Swift, all of Franklin; a sister, Amanda N. Patrick of Plainfield; four brothers, Melvin Mann Jr. of Texas, Richard and Christian Mann, both of Ohio, and Brandon Seibers of Indianapolis; and a grandson.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph E. Mann.

Private family services will be conducted.

Jessen Funeral Home, Franklin Chapel, is handling arrangements.


See post for dear friend Kelly Jinks here.

Kelly Jinks

Two Dead, One Injured in Early Morning Shooting

August 12, 2011

INDIANAPOLIS - Two women are dead and a man is in critical condition following an early morning shooting on the southeast side.

Metro Police arrested Edward Lay, a 37-year-old Indianapolis man, in connection with the shootings. He faces two preliminary counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and a serious violent felony in possession of a firearm. He is being held at the Marion County Jail without bond.

Metro Police were called to the 1700 block of South State Ave. around 1:30 am to investigate a report of a shooting. They found three people suffering from gunshot wounds in an alley.

Police say Mary Swift, 37, of Indianapolis, died at the scene. Kelly Jinks, 33, was taken to Wishard Hospital where she later died from injuries sustained in the shooting. A third victim was identified as Ronald Kortz II, 40. He is in critical but stable condition at Wishard Hospital.

According to witnesses, Mary Swift and Edward Lay were arguing over the volume of a stereo. Edward Lay produced a handgun and shot Swift multiple times, according to police.

A second couple, Kelly Jinks and Ronald Kortz II, attempted to intervene and they were shot. The suspect, Edward Lay, attempted to flee but was apprehended by Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Southeast District officers a short distance from the scene.


See post for dear friend Mary Swift here.

Roy L. Orman

Man, woman face murder charges as bodies are identified

Police: Gunshot wounds likely the cause of deaths

June 24, 2011

SALEM — The two bodies found on a property near Salem have been preliminarily identified, Indiana State Police said Friday.

Also Friday, Timothy R. Orman, 25, and Tammy M. Spengler, 23, who reside at different addresses in Palmyra, were charged with two counts of murder, two counts of aiding, inducing or causing murder and class A misdemeanor invasion of privacy for violating a protective order.

Although positive identifications have not been made due to the condition of the bodies, the victims have been tentatively identified as Orman’s father and uncle — Timothy M. Orman, 54, of 7600 Rosebud Road, and Roy L. Orman, 48, of 7598 Rosebud Road, an ISP press release says.

ISP also said Friday that the preliminary cause of death is gunshot wounds to both victims, although additional tests must be run to confirm the official cause. At least one neighbor reported hearing gunshots Sunday night.

The bodies were found in an outbuilding at 7600 Rosebud Road after the Washington County Sheriff’s Department received a phone call shortly after 11 p.m. Wednesday reporting the location of two deceased people. The state police have not identified who placed the phone call.

Spengler was arrested for murder after the bodies were located. Orman was arrested earlier in the day Wednesday for criminal trespass after a vehicle became stuck on a property in the 6400 block of Phillip Schmidt Road in Floyds Knobs.

At about 11:30 a.m., two men called the Floyd County Sheriff’s Department reporting a suspicious man on their property. Orman told the men his vehicle got stuck. He was covered in mud and not wearing shoes. The witnesses said he was “not making sense.”

An officer arrived and said Orman was not able to stand still as he described how they got stuck in the mud. He said they got lost driving to Greenville and attempted to turn around on the property.

He said he left Spengler, who was driving, near the vehicle when he went to get help. Spengler had left the scene when police arrived. The men who owned the property said they wanted Orman to be arrested for criminal trespass. He was transported to the Floyd County Jail.

The vehicle, a 1978 blue and white flatbed pickup truck registered to Roy Orman, was found in a ditch about 75 to 100 yards from the roadway.

Police impounded the vehicle.


See post for dear brother Timothy M. Orman.

Timothy M. Orman

Salem Murder Victims Tentatively Identified

Man, Woman Arrested On Murder Charges

June 24, 2011

SALEM, IN (WAVE) - The two people suspected of killing two Salem, Indiana men made their initial appearance in a Washington County Circuit courtroom on Friday.

So far, officials have only been able to tentatively identify the victims as Timothy M. Orman, and Roy L. Orman, both of Salem. The Washington County Coroner's Office and the Kentucky Medical Examiner's Office continue to work on making positive identifications.

26-year-old Timothy R. Orman and 24-year-old Tammy M. Spengler are accused of murdering the two men. Timothy M. is Timothy R.'s father and Roy is his uncle.

According to the probable cause affidavit Spengler called 9-1-1 Wednesday to turn herself in. She said the bodies of the two men were in an outbuilding on W. Rosebud Road and had been there for about two weeks.

"I guess after they had had the building open the buzzards started," said neighbor Meredith Baker. "They had gotten the smell...and that was it. I had to get out of here for awhile."

The preliminary cause of death for both victims is gunshot wounds. Additional tests are being done to determine the official cause of death.

"I always thought that Timmy could be dangerous," said Baker. "I though that boy was a problem."

Baker said she remembers hearing a gunshot from their house about two weeks before police discovered their bodies, but it's not unusual to hear gunshots in that neighborhood and Roy hunted.

The time of death for both victims has still not been determined.


See post for dear brother Roy L. Orman.

Jasmine Abbott

Jasmine Abbott

Mother, 3 children shot to death

January 21, 2011

AUSTIN, Ind. (WDRB Fox 41)--A mother and her three children were found dead inside their Indiana home on Friday. Police say they all suffered gunshot wounds to the head--but police are not looking for any suspects.

Police stop short of calling it a triple murder-suicide, but say they are focusing their investigation only on the four people found dead inside the home.

The small road seems oddly busy as curious people slow down to take a look at a house on New York Street in Austin, Indiana. Karen Barrett remembers the last conversation she had with 30-year-old Amanda Bennett, "Just 'Hi! How ya doin?', she laughed, just like she, you know, she was a happy go lucky person, she just 'good how are you!' I waved my hand and went on, ya know."

Roses were left behind on a car for the four people found dead inside the burned home in Austin, Indiana Friday. Officials say Amanda Bennett and her three children--14-year-old Jasmine, 9-year-old Katelynn, and Ryan, 4-years old, all died from gunshot wounds to the head.

It appears Amanda and Katelynn might have suffered smoke inhalation. Although it is unclear how the fire started.

Police are not looking for suspects, but will not say it is a triple murder-suicide. "The detectives are not ready to make any determinations or give any exact facts on what happened inside of the home," said Sergeant Jerry Goodin, with Indiana State Police.

Friends say there were signs of marital problems. "This past Sunday night we come home from church," said Barrett, "and there were two loads of cops here and the husband and wife I assume had a scuffle because that's what my niece said, that Jasmine had come to school talking about her mom and dad getting a divorce."

But other than that, Barrett says you would never know. "He'd get out and play basketball with the kids, she'd sit out on the porch and watch 'em play you'd never know there was any family trouble, never," said Barrett.

Police would not comment on any possible domestic problems. "That is part of our investigation so there are some things that we don't want to release," said Goodin.

Debra Davidson is a cook at Austin Elementary and says she'll never forget 9-year-old Katelynn. "She always gave me and one of the other cooks a hug every day," said Davidson.

The deaths are something many just cannot comprehend. "I can't understand it," said Barrett, "I just can't see it myself, Lord knows all about it."

"We owe this not only to the family, but the public," said Goodin, "and we're going to come to some answers and when we get those answers we'll release them."

Austin schools will have extra counselors at school on Monday.


See post for dear siblings Katelynn Bennett and Ryan Bennett.

Katelynn Bennett

Katelynn Bennett

Indiana woman killed her 3 children and herself, police say

January 25, 2011

An Indiana woman shot her three children and set the family's house on fire before turning the gun on herself, police said.

The bodies of the four were discovered Friday, when police in Austin, Indiana, responded to the home to conduct a welfare check.

"Upon arriving, the officer had to make a forced entry into the residence," Indiana State Police said Monday in a statement. "Once in the residence, he saw parts of the home had suffered recent fire damage and also located four deceased persons in the home."

The state police assisted with the investigation, which preliminarily concluded that 30-year-old Amanda Bennett shot the children -- 14-year-old Jasmine Abbott, 9-year-old Katelynn Bennett and 4-year-old Ryan Bennett -- before starting the fire and shooting herself.

"While the investigation remains open until autopsy reports are finalized, indications are this case is a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives along with the suspect of the murders, Amanda Bennett," the police statement said.

All four apparently died from gunshot wounds to the head. Amanda Bennett and Katelynn Bennett also suffered smoke inhalation, police said.

The family's dog was also shot, but survived and was being treated at a veterinary clinic, authorities said.

Jasmine, the teenager, had made references to marital problems between her parents and a possible divorce, friend Karen Barrett told CNN affiliate WDRB.

Indiana State Police spokesman Sgt. Jerry Goodin told CNN that authorities examined online content as part of their investigation, including a posting purportedly from Amanda Bennett that blamed her husband, according to WDRB, saying, "You got what you wanted, no wife and no kids."

However, the reasons for the shootings remain unclear, Goodin said.

"The only person that knows the motive is Amanda," he said.

Austin is about 35 miles north of Louisville, Kentucky.


See post for dear siblings Jasmine Abbott and Ryan Bennett.

Ryan Bennett

Mom Shot 3 Kids, Started Fire, Before Killing Herself

January 25, 2011

AUSTIN, Ind. -- A southern Indiana woman shot her three children and the family dog before setting fire to her home and fatally shooting herself, investigators said Monday as somber classmates of the slain children returned to school three days after the bodies were found.

Indiana State Police said they believe Amanda Bennett, 30, carried out the triple murder-suicide at the family's home in the Scott County town of Austin, shooting her three children and herself in the head.

Her body and those of 14-year-old Jasmine Abbott, 9-year-old Katelynn Bennett and 4-year-old Ryan Bennett were found Friday in the partially burned home after worried relatives asked police to check on the family.

State police Sgt. Jerry Goodin said Monday in a statement that the killings were "a tragic case of murder/suicide that claimed three innocent lives" along with that of the youngsters' mother, the alleged assailant.

"After shooting the children, indications are Amanda Bennett started a fire in the home and then took her own life," Goodin said Monday in a statement.

Friends and neighbors told The Courier-Journal of Louisville, Ky., that Amanda Bennett was a factory worker along with her husband, who had been laid off since last spring and moved out about a month ago from the home about 35 miles north of Louisville, Ky.

Family friend Karen Barrett told WDRB-TV in Louisville that Amanda Bennett was in the midst of a divorce from her husband but that the family had seemed close.

"He'd get out and play basketball with the kids, she'd sit out on the porch and watch `em play. You'd never know there was any family trouble, never," Barrett said.

Goodin would not comment on any possible domestic problems. Police are looking into an Internet posting that may have been from Amanda that read, in part, "Time to take away the pain. This is what you wanted, no wife and no kids."

"That is part of our investigation, so there are some things that we don't want to release," he said.

Trooper Mark LaMaster said investigators are looking into whether Amanda Bennett may have posted comments on the Internet prior to the shootings that alluded to her intention to kill her children.

Preliminary death findings showed that Amanda and Katelynn Bennett died from a combination of gunshot wound to the head and smoke inhalation. The two other siblings died from a gunshot wound to the head, Goodin said.

The family dog was shot but was recovering Monday at a veterinary clinic in Scott County, police said.

A makeshift memorial set up on the front steps of the family's modular home included a flickering candle set surrounded by teddy bears and other animals left by relatives and neighbors. Two roses also were left on the windshield of a car parked in the driveway, WAVE-TV of Louisville reported.

Betty Hensley, who lives near the family, told the station that she's at a loss to understand the killings.

"Why, why -- I'm asking why? Why did this happen to these people? I mean these were good people, why did this happen? And I don't know. I couldn't tell you. I sure don't know," Hensley said.

Extra counselors were on hand Monday as students returned to school for the first time since word of the shootings was announced Friday evening. Jasmine Abbott was a freshman at Austin High School, Katelynn was a fourth-grader and Ryan was a preschool student.

Kenneth Kidd, the assistant superintendent of the Scott County School District, said the mood was generally somber Monday at the district schools where the siblings had attended classes.

Mother, pregnant with Ryan, with two sisters

"We still have a few rambunctious ones over there today, but mostly it's somber," Kidd told WDRB.

Austin High School Principal Sherman Smith told WAVE that counselors at the school worked Monday to try to comfort mourning students but obviously could not explain for them why the tragedy occurred.

"It's a grief we don't know how to prepare for," Smith said. "We deal with it the best we can. We know what we know and that's all we know. We don't have the answers for our kids."


See post for dear siblings Jasmine Abbott and  Katelynn Bennett.

Linda Nickle

Man, 63, held in shooting deaths of 2 Indianapolis women

A 63-year-old man has been arrested and charged with murder after he told police he shot and killed his girlfriend and her son’s fiance after their bodies were found in the couple’s Far Westside home.

The two women, 61-year-old Linda Nickle and 24-year-old Elizabeth Newcomer, were found about 5 p.m. Saturday in the 6800 block of Westdrum Road.

Sgt. Paul Thompson, a spokesman for the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, said Elwin Hart, Indianapolis, called police from a nearby church to turn himself in about 20 minutes after the bodies were discovered.

Thompson said a domestic dispute might have been the cause of the shootings.

The couple lived together in the home. The couple, he said, bought the house to rehab it and that there may have been an argument Friday possibly related to the house that spilled over to Saturday afternoon.

Police said Nickle’s son, who was out of the city at the time, knew about the argument and became worried when he was unable to reach his mother and Newcomer, so he had a friend break into the house in an attempt to make contact. The bodies were discovered at that point.

Newcomer also resided at the house.

Hart was arrested at the Lynhurst Baptist Church, 1250 South Lynhurst Drive, about 5:30 p.m. Saturday.

Thompson said Hart also faces charges for possession of marijuana after police found several bags of the controlled substance and a one-hitter pipe in his possession.

Also see post for her son's fiance Elizabeth Newcomer here.

Elizabeth Newcomer

2004 Fostoria grad slain in Indianapolis

2nd woman also killed; boyfriend held

INDIANAPOLIS — The prosecutor’s office was expected to file charges today against an Indianapolis man arrested after a former Fostoria woman and her fiance’s mother were found dead of gunshot wounds in the home they shared, police said Tuesday.

Elizabeth Newcomer, 24, a 2004 graduate of Fostoria High School, was killed in the attack Saturday along with Linda Nickle, 61.

Police Sgt. Paul Thompson said the women were found about 5 p.m. by a friend of Ms. Nickle’s son who had gone there to check on them at his request. Ms. Newcomer’s fiance was out of town at the time and could not reach them by phone.

Less than a half-hour after the shootings, Ms. Nickle’s boyfriend, Elwin Hart, 63, called police and said he was the person they were looking for, Sergeant Thompson said. Police picked up Mr. Hart at a nearby church about 5:30 p.m. and said they found a semiautomatic handgun in his vehicle, suspected marijuana, and a pipe believed to be used for drugs.

Sergeant Thompson said investigators believe the shootings erupted from a domestic incident, although police had no record of prior domestic violence reports at the home where Mr. Hart and Ms. Nickle lived.

“Newcomer had moved in. … Apparently [Mr. Hart] wasn’t too happy with the arrangements of the kids moving in. There may have been some other details we can’t release right now, but we think that is the focal point of what happened.”


See post for fiance's mother Linda Nickle here.

Franziska Stegbauer

Woman Killed Trying To Break Up Swordfight

Police: Men Fought With Swords During Argument

POSTED: 11:48 am EDT April 9, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- A woman was killed when she tried to break up a swordfight between her brother-in-law and a grandson in her home on Indianapolis' far-northwest side early Thursday morning.Franziska Stegbauer, 77, died as a result of stab wounds, Indianapolis police Sgt. Matt Mount said.Chris Rondeau, 39 and Adolf Stegbauer, 69, got into an argument at a home in the 5200 block of Raceway Road at about 1 a.m. that escalated when one of the men grabbed a sword, prompting the other man to also brandish a sword.

Police were initially unsure if Franziska Stegbauer's death resulted from stab wounds or from a medical condition brought on by the fight.Investigators are trying to determine which man stabbed the woman, but Rondeau was already being held on an attempted murder charge because of wounds that Adolf Stegbauer suffered.Adolf Stegbauer was listed in critical condition at Wishard Memorial Hospital Thursday afternoon after undergoing surgery."We're unsure yet who started this fight, how the swordplay got involved," said Indianapolis police Sgt. Matt Mount. "We're not sure who it was who stabbed the woman. We'll have to do some testing on the swords and figure out who had which sword, whose blood is on which sword."Rondeau, who was also hospitalized with stab wounds, was held Thursday afternoon at the hospital's detention unit.

Also see post for dear Adolf Stegbauer here, who did not survive.

Adolf Stegbauer

Man Dies Days After Swordfight That Killed Woman

Charges Expected To Be Upgraded Against Other Man In Stabbing

POSTED: 1:11 pm EDT April 13, 2009

INDIANAPOLIS -- A man died Monday, days after he was stabbed in a swordfight with the grandson of a woman who was also fatally stabbed when she tried to intervene in the fight, police said.Adolf Stegbauer, 69, died from complications of a stab wound, Indianapolis police said. Charges that were already pending against the man who police said stabbed Stegbauer, Chris Rondeau, 39, were expected to be upgraded.Franziska Stegbauer, 77, also died as a result of stab wounds after the fight early Thursday morning, but police were not initially sure which of the men had stabbed her.

Rondeau and Adolf Stegbauer got into an argument at a home in the 5200 block of Raceway Road that escalated when one of the men grabbed a sword, prompting the other man to also brandish a sword.Rondeau was being held on an attempted murder charge stemming from the stabbing of Adolf Stegbauer.

Also see post for dear Franziska Stegbauer here.

Caleb Lynch

Caleb Lynch

Two Kids Dead, Mother's Fiance Arrested in Overnight Fire

Reported by: Web Producer

Saturday, April 10 2010

UPDATE: Deputies were dispatched to 10400 Fisher Rd. just before 4 AM to assist the German Township Fire Department with a fully engulfed house fire.

Neighbors told deputies Jeffrey Weisheit, his fiance Lisa Lynch and her two young children, Alyssa and Caleb, live there. Deputies found Lynch at work. She told them Weisheit and the kids should be at home. She described his vehicle, which was not at the house. Deputies searched for, but could not find, Weisheit.

A deputy with the Boone County, Kentucky Sheriff's Office saw Weisheit in Kentucky. The deputy went after him, and Weisheit sped away. Several agencies were finally able to stop him using stop sticks. Weisheit got out of the vehicle with a knife out. Officers used a taser to subdue him.

Weisheit was taken to the hospital were he was treated for injuries he got when he fell to the ground after being stunned. He is now in a hospital in Ohio.

Vanderburgh County deputies were dispatched to Boone County to talk to Weisheit. They got a warrant to search his vehicle. Firefighters, deputies, representatives of the state fire marshal's office, EFD's arson unit and Ohio Valley Search and Rescue spent the day searching of the burned home. They found the bodies of the two badly burned children.

The bodies have been taken to the Vanderburgh County Coroner's Office for autopsy and identification. The initial evidence shows that the fire was intentionally set. And, during an interview with deputies, Weisheit indicated he was the one who set it. He also indicated he knew the kids were there at the time.

Weisheit is being charged with two counts of murder and one count of arson. He'll face additional charges in Kentucky for trying to run from law enforcement.

The sheriff's office is working to have him extradited back to Vanderburgh County as quickly as possible.

PREVIOUS: Dispatchers say a fire broke out before dawn at 10400 Fischer Rd. in northern Vanderburgh County. The entire house was destroyed. Officials say two people living there have not been found. The cause of the fire is still under investigation. Sheriff Eric Williams says the burned home is being treated as a crime scene. We'll have the latest information on FOX 7 News at 5:30.


Obituary:

Alyssa and Caleb Lynch

EVANSVILLE, Ind. — Alyssa Michelle Lynch, 8, and Caleb Alexander Lynch, 5, were delivered into the arms of the Lord on April 10, 2010.

Alyssa was born on March 14, 2002, in Evansville. She attended second grade at Cynthia Heights School. Alyssa was always a "little princess" to her mom and dad. She was a smart, beautiful, caring and loving girl. She could bring sunshine to any rainy day with just a smile. Alyssa loved playing guitar, drawing, coloring and making homemade cards for everyone. She would often draw pictures that included every member of her family together. Alyssa enjoyed writing and reading, especially her beloved "Junie B. Jones" books. She would stay up late at night by her lamp just so she could read her books or write in her journal. Alyssa loved school and all her friends there, including her best friend, Bailey Brush. She adored her little brother, Caleb, since the moment he was born.

Caleb was born on Feb. 2, 2005. in Evansville. He attended Salem Pre-school. He was a sweet, tender-hearted boy who loved giving hugs. Caleb brought out the best in other people. He was so sweet, loving and handsome. Caleb liked helping Mommy cook, and although he had a sweet tooth, he always ate his veggies. He was her "love bug." Both Caleb and Alyssa enjoyed playing on the beach and in the ocean while visiting Daddy. Full of energy and life, Caleb could always make others smile and laugh. He was all boy — loving trains, trucks, planes, dirt, bugs and the outdoors. He loved riding on the 4-wheeler with his neighbor and buddy, "Big Jon." Caleb loved his sister, Alyssa, very much. Alyssa and Caleb were truly two angels on earth.

Survivors include their parents, Lisa Lynch of Evansville and Steve Lynch of Florida; grandparents, Rick and Marcia Mullen, Joseph Lynch Jr. and Leona J. Taylor; uncles, Jeffrey Mullen and Joseph Lynch III; aunt, Melinda (Chris) Smith; several cousins; and their cat, Figaro, and their chihuahua, Jose.

Visitation will be from 4 to 8 pm Thursday, April 15, at Sunset Funeral Home. Private funeral services will be held at a later date, with burial following in Sunset Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made on behalf of Alyssa and Caleb Lynch at any Old National Bank branch, where funds will be donated to Cynthia Heights School, Salem Pre-School and Holly's House.

Published in Courier Press on April 14, 2010

Also see post for dear sister Alyssa Lynch.

Alyssa Lynch

Alyssa Lynch

Man accused of killing children is back in Vanderburgh County

• By Mark Wilson
• Posted April 12, 2010 at 9:13 a.m.

The Evansville man suspected of killing two children in a fire early Saturday could face the death penalty if convicted.

Jeffrey Weisheit will appear in a Vanderburgh County court this morning to face formal charges in the fire that killed 8-year-old Alyssa Lynch and her brother, Caleb, 5. A probable cause affidavit indicates at least one the children may have been bound.

“Obviously this is a potential death penalty case,” said Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Stan Levco. “It’s something I’ll be considering in the next two to three weeks.”

Weisheit appeared in court in Hamilton County, Ohio, on Monday where he waived extradition. He was booked into the Vanderburgh County Jail at 7 p.m. Monday and placed on suicide watch. When he is arraigned this morning, he is expected to face murder and arson charges.

On Monday, neighbors sifted through the scant, charred remains of the three-bedroom house on 10040 Fischer Road for anything they could salvage for the children’s mother, Lisa Lynch, who was at work when the fire began.

Next-door neighbor Kevin Glaser assembled a memorial to the children at the corner of the property — still surrounded by yellow police tape — that included flowers, stuffed animals, rock markers with their names, candles, crosses and plastic children’s sunglasses.

Friends said Lynch and her children moved in with Weisheit about a year ago and they appeared happy. Neighbor Jon Boring said they bought a four-wheeler a week ago to ride with the children.

“They brought it over and showed it to us,” he said.

Boring said he often saw the children playing outside.

“They were great kids, full of life, inquisitive,” he said. “They were always outside on the swing set or wanting to ride on the riding lawn mower.”

Boring said he has known Weisheit for nearly 20 years and had no indication that anything was wrong.

“I saw him about 5:30 p.m. that night (Friday) and he said he was going to watch a movie with the kids,” he said.

Alyssa Lynch was a second-grader at Cynthia Heights Elementary School in northern Vanderburgh County. The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. crisis team of local counselors was at the school Monday, meeting with pupils who want to talk about their emotions.

About 12 children have thus far met with members of the counseling team, and “teachers have done a great job working with students in the classroom,” said Marsha Jackson, EVSC director of communications.

Several children at Cynthia Heights “understand (Alyssa) is not there, but they don’t understand the permanence,” Jackson said.

Weisheit, son of retired Evansville Police Department Lt. Bert Weisheit and a member of Laborers Local 561, bought the house in June 2008. Until March 25, he worked as a contract laborer for Industrial Contractors Inc. at a job at SABIC Innovative Plastics in Mount Vernon, Ind., said Denny Quinn, president of Industrial Contractors.

According to a probable cause affidavit, Weisheit was supposed to watch the children while Lynch was at work from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m., and then take them to Lynch’s parents house so he could go to work.

When deputies arriving at the fire scene realized that had not occurred and that Weisheit and his car were missing, they were able to locate it in Boone County, Ky., after Lynch called its OnStar emergency assistance service.

Weisheit was stopped by police in Kenton County, Ky., on Saturday after a chase.

The children’s bodies were found inside the house. An autopsy has indicated they died of smoke inhalation, according to the Vanderburgh County Coroner’s office, indicating that they were alive when the fire was set.

One of the children was found in a bedroom with two burned flares found near or under the body, according to the affidavit, and duct tape was also found that “may be evidence that the person had been bound in some fashion with the duct tape.”

Detective Randy Chapman of the Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office interviewed Weisheit at University Hospital in Cincinnati. According to the affidavit, Weisheit said he had planned to leave the house a week before and that he did not want to take the “kids” with him.

Weisheit consistently stated he did not remember what happened to the children, according to the affidavit, but when asked if he set the fire, “Weisheit indicated that he had in fact set the fire.”

Weisheit also indicated he had not been drinking or taking drugs, according to the affidavit. Weisheit then ended the interview by indicating he wanted a lawyer.

Chapman worked with northern Kentucky police to get a search warrant for Weisheit’s car and a suitcase visible inside it.

Duct tape was also observed in the vehicle, according to the affidavit.

Weisheit was arrested after he confronted authorities and had to be stopped with a stun gun. He was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Edgewood, Ky., before being transferred to University Hospital.

He still faces two counts of attempted murder on a police officer in Erlanger, Ky.

Kenton County Commonwealth’s Attorney Rob Sanders said if Weisheit receives anything less than the death penalty from the Indiana case, he will be brought back to Kentucky to face attempted murder charges.

Staff writers Lydia X. McCoy and John Martin and the Kentucky Enquirer contributed to this report.

Also see the obituary for both children and the post for dear brother Caleb Lynch here.

Jessica Berg

Jessica Berg

Victim sought restraining order day before slaying

April 10, 2010

By Daniel Human, Kokomo Tribune staff writer

Kokomo — One of the women found dead Friday in a Courtland Avenue home placed a restraining order the day before against the man who police arrested in connection with the triple homicide investigation.

Lt. Don Whitehead, a spokesman for the Kokomo Police Department, confirmed this afternoon he was aware of the restraining order, but he had no further details.

According to online court records, Jessica Berg, 28, Gas City, filed on Thursday a petition for an order of protection against Jeremy M. Blanchard, 30, Gas City.

Berg, along with her mother, Rebecca Berg, 57, and David McPike, 62, were found dead Friday morning in McPike’s home in the 1500 block of Courtland Avenue.

Kokomo police sent out a nationwide announcement that the department was looking for Blanchard as a “person of interest” in the investigation. Kentucky State Police arrested him in London, Ky., later that night.

Whitehead would not comment on Blanchard’s association with any of the victims.

The Howard County coroner was conducting an autopsy of the victims this afternoon. Results likely won’t be available until early Sunday, Whitehead said.

Also see posts for Rebecca Berg and David McPike.

David McPike

David McPike

Victims Identified In Kokomo Triple Slaying

Police Release New Information In Killings

POSTED: 1:47 pm EDT April 10, 2010

KOKOMO, Ind. -- The identities of three people who were found slain in a Kokomo home on Friday morning were released on Saturday as police provided some additional details of the investigation.

The bodies of David McPike, 62, of Kokomo, Rebecca Berg, 57, and Jessica Berg, 28, both of Gas City, were found in a home in the 1500 block of South Courtland Avenue.Kokomo police Lt. Don Whitehead said Rebecca and Jessica were in Kokomo to attend a family member’s funeral and had spent the night in McPike’s home.

The bodies were found by someone who came to pick the three victims up for the funeral, police said. Jeremy Blanchard, 30, of Gas City, who police called a person of interest in the case, was taken into custody in London, Ky., on Friday night.

Police did not release information about how the victims died, but an autopsy was being conducted on Saturday, with results expected on Sunday. The bodies were found in different rooms of the home.

Blanchard was held on warrants for a probation violation and intimidation, but he was not arrested in connection with the slayings. According to Indiana Department of Correction records, Blanchard served four years in prison for a battery conviction in 1996, and was sentenced to 16 years in prison for several counts of attempted burglary and burglary in 2000. He was released in September 2009.

Neighbors told 6News that McPike had lived in the home for quite some time, and had recently retired."(He was a) super nice guy. Something you wouldn't expect to happen to him," said neighbor Lee Newcome.

Blanchard was the ex-boyfriend of Jessica Berg, officials said. A restraining order had been filed against him on Thursday in Grant County. Police asked anyone with information about the case to call Kokomo police at 765-456-7017 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.


Also see posts for Jessica Berg and Rebecca Berg.

Rebecca Berg

Three Bodies Found Inside Kokomo Home

A person of interest in connection with a triple homicide in Kokomo was picked up late Friday in Kentucky.

Heather MacWilliams, Fox59.com

4:17 PM EDT, April 9, 2010

KOKOMO, IN - UPDATE: 30 year-old Jeremy Blanchard of Gas City, Indiana was picked up late Friday in London, Kentucky.

Police in Kokomo are investigating a triple homicide at 1523 South Courtland Street.

A family member found the bodies of a man and two women early Friday morning. The family member was on the way to a funeral and had arrived at the home to pick up the three victims.

Kokomo Police Saturday identified the victims as 62-year-old David McPike, 57-year-old Rebecca Berg, and 28-year-old Jessica Berg.

Rebecca Berg and her daughter Jessica had come to Kokomo from Gas City to attend a family member's funeral and were spending the night at Mr. McPike's residence on Thursday.

Obituary:

April 14, 2010

Rebecca S. Berg

Aug. 28, 1952 - April 9, 2010

— Rebecca S. Berg, 57, Gas City, died on Friday, April 9, 2010, in Kokomo. Ms. Berg was born in Kokomo on Aug. 28, 1952, to the late Wilfred Eric and Charline (Mills) Harvey.

She was a 1970 graduate of Haworth High School and received a completion certificate from business school. Ms. Berg lived in Grant County for the past 30 years and worked in the radiology department for Marion General Hospital. She was passionate about exercise and loved dogs, especially her golden retriever, Truman. In her leisure time, she enjoyed spending time with her fiance, David McPike.

She is survived by son, Eric P. (Mary Condes) Berg, West Lafayette; grandson, Alexander J. Fritch; and brother, Randy Lee (Tia) Harvey, Fort Wayne.

In addition to her parents, Ms. Berg was preceded in death by her daughter, Jessica A. Berg, and her fiance, David McPike.

Services are 3 p.m. Saturday at Owen-Weilert-Duncan Funeral Home, Gas City Chapel, 200 N. 7th St., with Pastor Bill Campbell officiating. Friends may call from 4 to 8 p.m. Friday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Riverside Cemetery, Gas City.

Friends may leave online condolences for the family at www.owenweilertduncan.com.

Also see posts for Jessica Berg and David McPike.

Rebecca Payne

Rebecca Payne

Suspect In Double Homicide Held On Stalking Charge

POSTED: 6:53 am EDT April 7, 2007

CARMEL, Ind. -- The man police said is the primary suspect in the slayings of his estranged wife and her boyfriend is being held without bond on a stalking charge.The Hamilton County Sheriff's Department said Toby Payne, 31, was taken into custody at his parents' home in Fountain County early Saturday morning.

Payne faces one count of felony stalking and was being held without bond in connection with a probation violation stemming from a previous felony conviction in Boone County.

Hamilton County Sheriff Doug Carter released few details about the Thursday deaths of Rebecca Payne, 32, and George Benner, 35, in Payne's home in the 11000 block of Central Avenue, near Carmel."We are still trying to build a timeline of communication that he had with his deceased wife up to and including the day of the murder," Carter said.

Toby Payne was initially held after turning himself in about two hours after the deaths, but was uncooperative in the investigation and was subsequently released Friday, police said.

Police declined to reveal the manner in which the victims died, but said they were investigating the deaths as homicides.

Rebecca Payne filed for a protective order against her husband in February and had recently filed for divorce, 6News reported. The couple's 6-year-old son was not home at the time of the killings.The victim in the stalking case was Rebecca Payne, police said.

Police pleaded for any information anyone might have that could help them in their investigation.

Previous Stories:

• April 6, 2007: Man Released After Questioning In Double Homicide
• April 6, 2007: 2 Found Dead Near Carmel; Estranged Husband Detained

Also see post for dear friend George Benner.

George Benner

George Benner

Man Convicted Of Carmel Murder

Man Involved In Death Of Woman, Companion

POSTED: 5:33 pm EDT April 26, 2008

CARMEL, Ind. -- A man was convicted of murder for his role in allegedly plotting with a woman's estranged husband and another man to murder her and a companion.Juan C. Lucio, 23, was convicted Friday by a Hamilton Superior Court jury of two counts of murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He faces possible life in prison without parole when he is sentenced Monday.

Two other men still face trial in the killings of Rebecca Payne, 32, and George Benner, 35, of Fowler, who were found shot to death in April 2007 in the Carmel duplex where Payne lived.Payne's estranged husband, Toby K. Payne, 31, Indianapolis, and Anthony Delarosa, 24, Zionsville, also face murder charges. Their trial is set for Oct. 6.

According to testimony by a Hamilton County Sheriff's Department detective, Lucio said Toby Payne tried to recruit him to kill his wife while both men were in jail and later gave him a key to her home. But Lucio denied involvement in the actual shootings.

Defense attorney Dan Henke said during final arguments that Lucio only knew there was going to be a robbery, and found out later the victims were shot to death."He didn't know those people were going to be murdered," Henke said. "No one was supposed to die."

In a videotaped statement, Lucio admitted he was in a car with Delarosa on the night of the killings. He said Delarosa got out of the car near Rebecca Payne's home and when he returned moments later he indicated he had shot people.

Prosecutor Sonia Leerkamp called Lucio a conspirator in the murder of two innocent people."He's shown no remorse for what's happened to George Benner or Rebecca Payne, he's only concerned for what could happen to him," she told jurors. "I ask you to convict this man as the cold, calculating murderer that he is."

Leerkamp said Lucio was removed from the courtroom after he used vulgar language to Judge Steve Nation after the jury left the courtroom late Friday afternoon.

Previous Stories:

• April 19, 2007: Police: Suspect Says Accomplice Killed 2 Near Carmel
• April 16, 2007: 4 Arraigned In Carmel-Area Killings
• April 15, 2007: 4 Arrests Made Days After Carmel-Area Double Homicide
• April 7, 2007: Suspect In Double Homicide Held On Stalking Charge
• April 6, 2007: Man Released After Questioning In Double Homicide
• April 6, 2007: 2 Found Dead Near Carmel; Estranged Husband Detained

Also see post for dear friend Rebecca Payne.

Jennifer Lopez

Jennifer Lopez

Mother Arrested In Murders Of 4 Children

Four Children Found Asphyxiated

ELKHART, Ind. (CBS) ―

Police have arrested an Indiana mother in connection with the deaths of her four children, ages 2 to 8.

The four children were found Tuesday night in their home by the father of the two youngest. The medical examiner said they were asphyxiated.

Rescue workers originally thought the children's mother, Angelica Alvarez, was also dead at the scene, but later discovered she had a faint pulse.

Alvarez was in critical condition yesterday at Elkhart General Hospital but a hospital spokeswoman said today she could not give out any information about her condition.

Police say Alvarez is still in the hospital but is in their custody. Police released no other details about the case.

The children were identified as 8-year-old Jennifer Lopez, 6-year-old Gonzalo Lopez, 4-year-old Daniel Valdez and 2-year-old Jessica Valdez.

Authorities say the children were found by Alvarez's husband, Fernando Valdez, who is the father of the two younger children. Valdez ran out into the street and yelled for someone to call police.

Police say they have been called to the family's residence before.

"Some of these histories show custody disputes between Angelica Alvarez, the adult female, and Gonzalo Lopez , the father of her two older children," said Steven Mock of the Elkhart Police Department.


See posts for dear brothers Daniel and Gonzalo, and dear sister Jessica.

Gonzalo Lopez

Gonzalo Lopez

Elkhart police arrest mother in children's murders

(November 2006 - WTHR)

Elkhart - Elkhart police have arrested a mother in connection with the deaths of her four young children. The children, ages 2 to 8, were found suffocated in their basement Tuesday.

Police say the children's mother, Angelica Alvarez, remained hospitalized Thursday, two days after she was found unconscious with the children in the basement of their home.

Police Captain Steven Mock didn't give any details on how investigators believe she killed the two girls and two boys. Autopsies determine they died of asphyxia.

Mock says the 27-year-old Alvarez was in custody at Elkhart General Hospital. He would not give details on her injuries, but says she is expected to survive.

Bill Wargo, chief investigator for the Elkhart County prosecutor's office, says a magistrate is expected to review the case on tomorrow to determine whether investigators had probable cause to keep Alvarez in custody.

He says the prosecutor's office would then have until Wednesday to decide on formal charges.

Copyright © 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This story may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press.


See posts for dear brother Daniel, and dear sisters Jennifer and Jessica.