Stabbing on Indy’s near west side leaves 69-year-old woman dead; man arrested

INDIANAPOLIS — A stabbing on Indy’s near west side leaves one woman dead and a suspect in jail for murder.

Police were able to make an arrest just a few hours after the killing because officers found the suspect still on the scene and took him in for questioning. Court records show it’s not the first time the same suspect has been accused of murder in Marion County.

Just before 10 p.m. Monday, police were called to the 500 block of North Alton Avenue in a neighborhood near Michigan and Tibbs and found a 69-year-old woman bleeding to death in front of a home.

That victim had been stabbed multiple times and died on scene, police said.

“We think some sort of disturbance may have occurred in this instance and again someone resorted to criminal actions and took a life and that person’s family is grieving. It’s going to be hard for them,” said IMPD Officer Tommy Thompson.

While the exact cause of the violence remains under investigation, neighbors said the suspect and the victim’s family both live across the street from the scene of the killing and a witness helped identify 52-year-old Brandon Lewis as the killer.

IMPD praised that assistance for solving the case.

“You know, we have to thank the community. The community stepped forward. In this instance we had the community coming forward and helping detectives. We can’t do it alone. We need the community’s help,” said Thompson.

Court records show Lewis was previously charged with murder in 2005, at the age of 32, but that murder charge was dismissed the following year after Lewis pleaded guilty to a lesser battery charge for which he served a couple of years in DOC custody.

Despite that history, IMPD insists the quick arrest for Monday’s murder illustrates how police work around the clock to bring accused killers to justice.

“We’re going to hold you accountable. If you commit crimes in this community, we’re going to find you and hold you accountable,” said Thompson.

The suspect is now being held without bond pending the filing of formal murder charges in this case.

Anyone with information about this incident should call Detective Christopher Morgan at the IMPD Homicide Office at (317) 327-3475 or e-mail the detective at Christopher.Morgan@indy.gov. 

Alternatively, they can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.