Indianapolis, IN

‘A good hearted person’: Loved ones remember Indianapolis mom slain after ordering rideshare

Published

3 months ago

September 10, 2024

‘A good hearted person’: Loved ones remember Indianapolis mom slain after ordering rideshare

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

Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

Published

4 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Analyst Predicts Close Call Between Titans, Colts

The Tennessee Titans may be out of the playoff picture, but they find themselves in a big game against their AFC South rival Indianapolis Colts.

The Titans can play spoiler for the Colts, who need to win to hold onto their faint playoff hopes, by eliminating them from playoff contention in a win.

However, CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco doesn’t believe that will end up being the case. He predicts that the Colts will pull out a 24-17 win against the Titans.

“The Colts are alive in the playoff race — barely. The Titans are done and might be making a quarterback change. The Colts did some good things in losing to the Broncos last week in a game they should have won. They bounce back here. Colts take it,” Prisco writes.

The Titans are certainly an underdog considering the fact that they are on the road and have won only three games all year long.

However, we have seen how difficult it can be for divisional opponents to sweep a season series, and the Colts came away with the win when the two teams met in Nashville during Week 6.

The Titans are coming into the game with a massive chip on their shoulder and a new source of energy with Mason Rudolph taking over as the starting quarterback after Will Levis was demoted earlier in the week.

The Titans have the ingredients necessary for a win against the Colts, but they still have to execute their plan in order to leave Indy on a happy flight home to Tennessee.

The Titans and Colts are set to kickoff at 12 noon CT tomorrow inside Lucas Oil Stadium. The game can be watched on CBS or streamed on Paramount+.

Make sure you bookmark Tennessee Titans on SI for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more!

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Indianapolis, IN

Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

Published

12 hours ago

December 21, 2024

Press Room

Colts’ Most Crucial X-Factors for Titans Clash

The Indianapolis Colts (6-8) are prepped for an AFC South clash at home against the Tennessee Titans (3-11), with still plenty on the line. If the Colts win this game, their slim playoff hopes stay alive at 15%. However, a loss destroys every probability of this happening, dropping Shane Steichen’s troops to 1% (NFL.com).

What this means is Anthony Richardson, Jonathan Taylor, and the offensive line must operate better than against the Denver Broncos, but the defense and Gus Bradley must carry over their performance at Mile High.

With Indy’s 15th game nearly here, these are the two X-Factors for the offense and defense (minus Richardson) most crucial to Indianapolis walking out of Lucas Oil with their seventh win on the season and with postseason aspirations still breathing.

Offense | Josh Downs

Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (all-white uniform) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Jets (green uniform).

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; Indianapolis Colts wide receiver Josh Downs (1) celebrates his touchdown against the New York Jets during the fourth quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

Colts’ second-year wide receiver Josh Downs has emerged as the most reliable target for Steichen’s offense throughout 2024. The former North Carolina Tarheel has reeled 56 catches on 86 targets for 626 receiving yards (11.2 average) and four touchdowns.

After being sidelined with a shoulder injury, Downs is ready to bounce back from his underwhelming three-catch, 32-yard performance at Mile High. The Titans are a gritty defense, and Downs will face off against Tennessee’s slot cornerback Roger McCreary. Downs dominated in the first meeting, catching seven of nine targets from Joe Flacco for 66 receiving yards and a touchdown.

Expect Richardson to look Downs’ way often, especially considering that Alec Pierce (concussion) won’t suit up for this one. While Michael Pittman Jr. and AD Mitchell will get their fair share of throws, Downs is the safety blanket and most reliable pass-catcher.

The Colts have to get Richardson into a rhythm throwing the football to help the young field general over the 50% completion hump; the best way to do that since there’s nearly no tight end receiving production is getting Downs the football. Expect at least eight-plus targets for Downs on Sunday.

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Defense | Laiatu Latu

Colts' defensive end Laiatu Latu (all-white uniform) gets ready to try and get past an offensive lineman.

Nov 17, 2024; East Rutherford, New Jersey, USA; New York Jets offensive tackle Olu Fashanu (74) blocks against Indianapolis Colts defensive end Laiatu Latu (97) during the third quarter at MetLife Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-Imagn Images / Brad Penner-Imagn Images

After a rocky start to his rookie campaign, the Colts’ rookie 15th overall selection Laiatu Latu is finding his footing in the NFL. Along with Kwity Paye, the two have combined for 10 sacks, with Latu accounting for four. Latu also has Pro Football Focus grades of 72.7 overall, 72.9 pass-rush, and 64.3 run. While the last can improve, Latu is getting to where he needs to be under Charlie Partridge.

Against the Titans, Latu will have a chance to feast on a struggling Tennessee offensive line. The Titans’ protection ranks 28th in Pro Football Focus team grades for pass-blocking (56.6), so there’s areas where Latu can exploit.

While offensive tackle JC Latham has an acceptable pass-blocking grade (66.8), he’s second on Tennessee in pressures allowed (37) behind only fellow tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere (39). Latu has a chance to wreck Mason Rudolph with constant pressures that might lead to opportunities for sacks. For the year, the former UCLA Bruin has 34 pressures and will have a clear path to success against Latham and Petit-Frere.

Expect Latu to have a field day when taking snaps against Tennessee on Sunday, with a great chance at a sack or more.

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