Indianapolis, Indiana – A late-night call to police in Indianapolis quickly unfolded into a homicide investigation that authorities say moved forward rapidly thanks to determined detective work and key information provided by community members.
Just before 11 p.m. on Tuesday, March 10, 2026, officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department’s Southwest District were sent to the 1300 block of South Lynhurst Drive after receiving a report about an unresponsive woman.
When officers arrived, they discovered 51-year-old Kimberly Stewart in the backyard of a residence. She had suffered injuries consistent with trauma and was pronounced dead at the scene.
Homicide detectives soon arrived and began working through the night to determine what had happened. Investigators combed through the surrounding area searching for surveillance footage and possible forensic evidence, while also speaking with nearby residents and witnesses who might have seen or heard something that could help piece together the events leading up to Stewart’s death.
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As the investigation progressed, detectives identified 45-year-old Travis Wolfe as a suspect connected to the case. Wolfe was already wanted on a warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
In a matter of hours, detectives with IMPD’s Violent Crimes Unit located Wolfe near East 19th Street and North Drexel Avenue. With assistance from the department’s Special Weapons and Tactics team, officers moved in and took Wolfe into custody without incident on the outstanding warrant.
Even after the arrest, detectives continued their work, conducting interviews and reviewing new information as they built the case. According to investigators, help from community members ultimately provided crucial details that helped move the investigation forward.
Shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday, March 12, 2026, after consulting with the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office, detectives formally arrested Wolfe on a charge of murder related to Stewart’s death.
IMPD Deputy Chief Kendale Adams said the case demonstrates what can happen when investigators and the public work together. He noted that detectives spent hours piecing together the facts while members of the community stepped forward with information that helped secure the charge.
