A shocking murder case in Indianapolis has led to the arrest of a man accused of killing his girlfriend after a heated argument. Police say the victim was attacked outside her home with the dull side of an ax, and her body was later discovered in the backyard by a friend. The suspect was quickly identified and arrested after investigators gathered witness statements and other evidence.
Indiana Man Charged With Girlfriend’s Murder
Authorities in Indianapolis have charged 45-year-old Travis Wolfe with murder in the death of his girlfriend, 51-year-old Kimberly Stewart.
According to court records, Wolfe also faces an additional charge of unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.
Police say Wolfe is currently being held in the Marion County Adult Detention Center without bond.
Investigators believe the fatal incident took place at a property located in the 1300 block of South Lynhurst Drive in Indianapolis.
According to police, Stewart lived in the main house while Wolfe was staying in the garage on the same property.
Argument Between Couple Led to Violent Attack
Investigators believe the couple got into an argument on Tuesday, which reportedly escalated into violence.
According to a probable cause affidavit, disputes between the pair were not unusual. A friend told police the couple had argued the day before about a water pump Wolfe had installed in a BMW.
The friend also described Wolfe as unpredictable and aggressive.
Police reports say Wolfe had allegedly:
- Threatened to kill people the day before the incident
- Yelled at neighbors frequently
- Believed people were trying to harm him
- Carried an ax around the property
The friend reportedly described Wolfe as a “psychopath maniac” during conversations with investigators.
Friend Discovers Victim’s Body in Backyard
The person who discovered Stewart’s body had known her for around 10 years. The two worked together selling vehicles.
According to investigators, the friend had texted Stewart on Tuesday afternoon to arrange picking up a car title for a vehicle they had recently sold.
He arrived at her home around 4:30 p.m. but did not see her.
Stewart’s blue Dodge Nitro was parked in the driveway, and she did not respond to his messages. However, this was not immediately alarming because she worked overnight shifts at a UPS facility and often slept during the day.
Later that night, the friend returned to the property just before 11 p.m.
Several unusual things caught his attention:
- Stewart’s dog was outside even though it usually stayed indoors
- The back door of the house was locked
- The garage appeared empty even though Wolfe rarely left
The dog was barking aggressively toward the garage area, which made the situation seem suspicious.
Victim Found Near Fence and Outdoor Spa
The friend then called Stewart’s phone and followed the ringing sound.
He eventually found her lying between a wooden fence and an outdoor spa in the backyard.
According to police, she was stiff and cold when he touched her, indicating she had already died.
Officers from the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department arrived around 11 p.m. after receiving a report of an unresponsive woman.
Police found Stewart in the backyard with injuries consistent with severe trauma. Authorities confirmed she had died before emergency responders arrived.
An autopsy later determined her death was caused by blunt force trauma.
Witness Statement Helped Identify Suspect
During the investigation, detectives spoke with witnesses and quickly focused on Wolfe as the main suspect.
A neighbor told police he had been outside around 10:30 p.m. when he heard a woman scream.
He then saw a man standing between the wooden fence and spa swinging something toward the ground.
The witness also heard the man yelling at a dog to “shut up.”
Police later identified that man as Wolfe.
Suspect Arrested Hours Later
Within about three hours of discovering the body, police located Wolfe roughly 12 miles away in Indianapolis near East 19th Street and North Drexel Avenue.
Officers found him inside a BMW and arrested him for unlawful possession of a firearm.
During questioning, Wolfe told police he had argued with Stewart earlier but claimed he left the house afterward.
He said he initially drove Stewart’s Dodge Nitro but returned after realizing it was nearly out of fuel. He then drove away in the BMW.
Wolfe denied hitting Stewart with an ax.
Despite his denial, investigators said witness statements and other evidence helped build the case against him.
He was officially charged with murder shortly before 1 a.m. on Thursday.
Police Praise Community for Helping Solve Case
Indianapolis police officials credited both detectives and community members for quickly solving the case.
Investigators worked for several hours to gather evidence and identify the suspect.
Deputy Chief Kendale Adams said information provided by people in the neighborhood played an important role in securing the murder charge.
| Case Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Suspect | Travis Wolfe |
| Age | 45 |
| Victim | Kimberly Stewart |
| Age | 51 |
| Location | Indianapolis, Indiana |
| Charges | Murder, firearm possession by violent felon |
