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Tag: Murder Suspect

  • Amanda Blackburn: Photos Of Murder Suspect Released, Police May Soon Identify Killer

    The tragic death of 28-year-old Amanda Blackburn is still under investigation, and police are making some progress with the identity of her killer.

    Officials of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department held a press conference last Friday and released two photos of the suspect, which were taken from a surveillance camera near the scene of the crime.

    The grainy, black-and-white photos depict a man of medium height and build, wearing a two-toned hoodie and light-colored pants. Police appealed to the public to help them get better leads that would expedite the arrest of the killer.

    Amanda Blackburn, the young wife of pastor, Davey Blackburn, was killed in cold blood on the morning of Tuesday last week. Her husband, who had been at the gym at the time of the murder, later discovered their home in disarray and Blackburn lying on the floor with a gunshot to her head.

    Amanda Blackburn died shortly after being taken to the Indiana University Methodist Hospital. The couple’s one-year-old son was also home during the shooting, but was reported to be unharmed. Authorities investigating the crime believe that took place was a home invasion that turned awry.

    The memorial service for Amanda Blackburn was held on Sunday at the Traders Point Church in Whitestown, with more than 2,000 attending the affair. She and husband Davey were active Christians who headed the Resonate Church in Indianapolis. They were expecting their second child, who was 12 weeks on the way.

    Pastors from four other churches of which Amanda Blackburn and her husband used to be members spoke at her funeral.

    Friends and Family Remember Amanda Blackburn

    Among those who spoke at her funeral was Pastor Perry Noble of the NewSpring Church in South Carolina, which the Blackburns attended prior to moving to Indiana.

    Crime Stoppers has put a $1,000 reward for anyone who can give valuable leads and tips on Amanda Blackburn’s shooter.

  • 15-Year Old Arrested For Two Dead Utah Brothers

    The bodies of two West Point, Utah children, ages 4 and 10, were found in their home Wednesday night. According to a Davis County Sheriff’s Office statement, the brothers died from what appear to be knife wounds. The suspect in the murders is the victims’ 15-year-old brother.

    The children’s mother found the the body of the 4-year-old on Wednesday evening. She called 911, and a police sweep of the home found the body of the 10-year-old. An hours-long search for the missing 15-year-old was then conducted. The boy was eventually found around midnight and taken to a local hospital.

    On Thursday morning, “as a result of the emerging details,” the 15-year-old was arrested and taken to a juvenile detention center. Police suspect that the boy acted alone, but have released no further details on the crime, which they are investigating as a homicide. The cause of the 4-year-old’s and 10-year-old’s death will be officially determined by medical examiners.

  • Whitney Heichel Murder Suspect Arrested, Attended Victim’s Church

    Gresham, Oregon police announced this weekend that the body of 21-year-old Whitney Heichel was found on Larch Mountain. Heichel’s vehicle and some of her belongings had already been found in a local Wal-Mart parking lot and on trails leading up Larch Mountain. Those clues ended up leading police to the woman’s body.

    Though no details regarding the Starbucks barista’s death have been revealed, police have arrested a suspect. According to a Northwest Cable News (NWCN) report, police have arrested 24-year-old Jonathan Holt on charges of aggravated murder. Gresham police stated that Holt was an acquaintance of Heichel and her husband, and lived in the same apartment complex as the couple. Holt also, according to NWCN, had attended services at the Jehovah’s Witness church the victim attended.

    No motive for the murder has yet been revealed.

    Heichel’s and her husband’s family released a statement this weekend, thanking their community, law enforcement officials, and those who assisted in the search for Whitney. From the statement:

    We are profoundly devastated by the loss of Whitney Heichel. She was a loved and valued member of our faith. No words can express the pain and agony her family and friends are undergoing as we cope with the bewildering loss of Whitney. We will continue to support and help one another in this time of grief. Whitney’s family, friends, and members of our faith draw strength from our God, and his words of comfort found in the bible. The outpouring of support from members of our faith has been such an aid in helping us to deal with the pain and loss of such a wonderful person. For us, this is not a surprise, because this is “what we do” as an organization.

    Heichel had left for work last Tuesday, October 16, shortly before 7 am but never made it to work. When Heichel’s husband received a call from the Starbucks about her absence, he called 911 to report her missing. The police mobilized detectives and search teams last week, finding that Heichel’s debit card had been used at several ATMs on Tuesday morning, and that a witness saw a man driving Heichel’s SUV with her in the passenger seat.

    (Photo courtesy findwhitneyheichel.com)