Indianapolis, IN
‘A good hearted person’: Loved ones remember Indianapolis mom slain after ordering rideshare
![‘A good hearted person’: Loved ones remember Indianapolis mom slain after ordering rideshare ‘A good hearted person’: Loved ones remember Indianapolis mom slain after ordering rideshare](https://www.gannett-cdn.com/authoring/authoring-images/2024/09/10/PIND/75160299007-459163578-1512651669366116-8661276667133062901-n.jpg?auto=webp&crop=827,466,x0,y82&format=pjpg&width=1200)
IMPD Chief Bailey has news conference about the brutal killing of Chanti Dixon.
IMPD Chief Christopher Bailey speaks about the arrest in the ride share killing of Chanti Dixon on Sept. 9, 2024.
She was selfless and would do anything she could to support those she loved. She was a good friend, a good family member. But most importantly, a good mother.
Across the country in states like Georgia and Florida, people were posting pictures and videos of Chanti Bresha Dixon, 30, highlighting how she filled their lives with laughter and positivity.
“One thing about Chanti, she was a good person,” her cousin Eric Young said. She was always the life of the party and, I’m telling you, she was a mother first.”
She also helped people when they were down, including Young.
More on Indy ride-share slaying: Driver arrested after woman who called for ride found dead Monday
In 2017, Young was exiting an IndyGo bus after getting off work when he ran into Dixon, who he hadn’t seen in a while because she had been traveling.
He’d recently lost his house and was homeless.
“I was going through a lot,” Young said. “She saw me and immediately picked me up. We talked and she took me to get something to eat before putting some dollars in my pocket.”
Chanti Dixon: Ride-share driver arrested after woman who called for ride found dead Monday
But now, Young along with other family members and friends are reeling.
That good-hearted nature makes Dixon’s loss a devastating blow.
The mother was found fatally shot in a wooded area near the apartment complex where she lived. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police were called to the 1800 block of Wagner Lane where they found Dixon shot.
Less than 24 hours later, a ride-share driver was arrested on a related murder charge.
Young said it was family members who found her body, hours after filing a missing person report. No one had heard from Dixon since Sunday morning.
“My mom and her mom are first cousins,” Young said. “So my mom called and said she and everybody were at her apartment. They’re the ones who found her.”
Rideshare driver arrested in Chanti Dixon’s killing
Dixon used the ride-share app Uber on Sunday to request a driver about 3:30 a.m. Indianapolis Metropolitan Police said no one heard from her after the driver picked her up. A missing persons report was filed Monday morning, and Dixon’s body was discovered about 1 p.m. that day.
The ride-share driver, Francisco Valadez, 29, was formally charged Tuesday afternoon.
Information from the rideshare app helped lead police to Valadez.
Chilling motive: Uber driver gave chilling motive for woman’s killing, arrest report reveals
“Our hearts break for Ms. Dixon’s family and loved ones in the midst of this tragedy,” Uber said in a statement to IndyStar. “The details of this act of violence are atrocious.” The company vowed to assist Indianapolis police in their investigation.
“This is disgusting,” Indianapolis Police Chief Chris Bailey said during a Tuesday news conference. “This woman is gone from the world unnecessarily by an evil act, and I’m glad that we were able to find this individual as quickly as we did so that he didn’t have an opportunity to perpetuate violence further in our community.”
Police are asking people who have had suspicious encounters with a ride-share driver during the past few months to share their stories.
‘If it wasn’t going to be her, it would have been someone else’
Dixon’s family and loved ones are keeping her story alive through the memories shared as they take time to process their loss.
Young hates that the killing was seemingly random.
“If it wasn’t going to be her, it would have been someone else,” Young said. “I just want justice. I want justice for her and I want justice for our family. I really want justice for her son.”
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police are asking people who may have more information on Dixon or the rideshare driver to contact the department’s homicide office at 317-327-3475 or Crime Stoppers at 317-262-TIPS (8477).
Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. Email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formally known as Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON.
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Indianapolis, IN
Coast Guard searching for missing Indianapolis woman in Puerto Rico
![Coast Guard searching for missing Indianapolis woman in Puerto Rico Coast Guard searching for missing Indianapolis woman in Puerto Rico](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/US-Coast-Guard_GettyImages-51235849.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Search and rescue teams are searching for a 22-year-old Indianapolis woman who was swept away by rip currents while on vacation in Puerto Rico.
The U.S. Coast Guard says the woman went missing Sunday evening while swimming with her two of her friends off Condado Beach in San Juan.
The first report of the incident came in around 6:30 p.m., when a bystander on the beach “heard screaming and observed two people in distress in the water.”
Bystanders were able to rescue the woman’s two friends and help them ashore.
The Coast Guard and local authorities launched a search for the missing Indianapolis woman. As of 6 a.m. Tuesday, she had not been found.
Indianapolis, IN
Restaurant suffers minor damage in fire
![Restaurant suffers minor damage in fire Restaurant suffers minor damage in fire](https://www.wishtv.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/10/LUCIANAS-FIRE.transfer_frame_45.jpg)
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Luciana’s Mexican Restaurant on the city’s northwest side has temporarily closed after a fire Monday afternoon.
The restaurant is in the Traders Point retail area off West 86th Street just east of I-465. The fire was reported just after 3:45 p.m. Monday.
Pike Township Fire Department says the restaurant suffered smoke damage but sustained only minor structural damage.
No one was hurt in the fire. The cause of the fire remained under investigation on Monday night.
Indianapolis, IN
3 Colts with Rising Stock After Loss to Texans
![3 Colts with Rising Stock After Loss to Texans 3 Colts with Rising Stock After Loss to Texans](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_5897,h_3317,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/Alec-PIerce-5-a4e08a12bff22bbb30bb1ae38c602112.jpg)
The Indianapolis Colts are coming off their first season loss after falling 29-27 to the division-rival Houston Texans. While it’s not an ideal start, moments during the Lucas Oil Stadium contest gave plenty of hope and promise to what Indianapolis’ young team can accomplish in 2024. With this on tap, it’s time to look into three Colts players whose performances are raising their overall stock.
Ashton Dulin | Wide Receiver
Colts wide receiver Ashton Dulin is more of a special teams ace than a pass-catcher. However, if Indy needs help at receiver, Dulin provides a good downfield target with plenty of speed. While Anthony Richardson found fellow receiver Alec Pierce first, Dulin’s play was a foot race more than a deep throw.
Anthony Richardson to Ashton Dulin! 54-yard touchdoooown.
📺: #HOUvsIND on CBS/Paramount+ — NFL (@NFL) September 8, 2024
📱: https://t.co/waVpO909ge pic.twitter.com/VRaovwYP9m
Dulin showed ridiculous speed after the reception and can make a tough catch when needed. With Josh Downs missing this contest put more pressure on rookie wideout Adonai Mitchell. So, for Dulin to step in and help with receiving depth while making a massive play may give him more offensive looks going forward.
What happens next for the Colts? Don’t miss out on any news and analysis! Take a second and sign up for our free newsletter and get breaking Colts news delivered to your inbox daily!
Alec Pierce | Wide Receiver
Third-year Colts receiver Alec Pierce had a career day against the Texans. He’d secure all three targets for 125 receiving yards (41.7 average) and a score, breaking Houston’s defense every time he touched the football. However, no play was bigger than his 60-yard monster score.
Alec Pierce’s two deep posts against the Texans.
The first was a 60-yard TD in which he tracked one of the most insane throws ever.
The second had Pierce slowing up to get it, and beating safety Jimmie Ward in the air for 57 more yards. pic.twitter.com/VSD8VUdF5F
— Doug Farrar ✍ (@NFL_DougFarrar) September 9, 2024
Pierce was likely missing the arm strength of Richardson to match his best qualities. Pierce is a deep threat through and through, so expect the former Cincinnati Bearcat to have more plays like these from Sunday. After two disappointing seasons as a pure wideout, Pierce will likely have a career-best season when 2024 concludes.
DeForest Buckner | Defensive Tackle
Three-time Pro Bowler and former First-Team All-Pro DeForest Buckner dominated against the Texans in the trenches. He’d conclude with 6 tackles (1 for loss) and 1.5 sacks (led team). Even though Indy gave up 213 rushing yards, Buckner stood out in run and pass defense. Despite sustaining a back injury, Buckner likely will push through the setback to suit up for the Green Bay Packers.
Shane Steichen is hopeful DeForest Buckner is able to play this week. Says Buckner’s “tough as nails,” and has played through stuff his whole career.
— Joel A. Erickson (@JoelAErickson) September 9, 2024
Indianapolis didn’t look great in the defensive trenches outside of Buckner, so there is immediate cause for concern with how easily the Texans dominated the line of scrimmage to compile rushing yards. But names like Grover Stewart, Laiatu Latu, Kwity Paye, and Tyquan Lewis will look to help improve from what was a brutal start for Charlie Partridge’s troops.
Want more Colts content? Check out the latest episode of the Horseshoe Huddle Podcast!
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