Still no arrest in Broad Ripple murder

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - About a year ago a woman was brutally killed in her Broad Ripple home. To date police haven't made an arrest in the stabbing death of Jane Pepper.

The metro homicide detective on the case said he's frustrated and is hoping the DNA evidence will eventually lead to an arrest.

Jude Burkett, one of Jane's neighbors said, "It is very distressing people here are still living under that cloud."

Burkett said it's hard to believe no one has been caught after witnessing, detectives scoured Pepper's apartment for evidence.

"They were all over it and we did have a lot of hope," said Burkett.

"This is still an open investigation and obviously I am interested in coming to a good resolution for the family obviously, as well as, for the safety of the community," said Detective Bob Flack, Indianapolis Metro Police Department.

Detective Flack has worked the case for the past year and kept in contact with Jane's family. He's also waiting on DNA hits on the national database.

"I have been in contact with several police departments. In fact, a couple of cases here locally in Central Indiana where a subject was involved in similar violent crimes have been run through CODIS and so far there is still no match," said Det. Flack.

Neighbors told 24-Hour News 8 a private investigator has been asking questions as well, they assume it’s the family who hired him.

"Well ran into him out on the parking lot and he asked if he could interview us and three of us have been interviewed that I know of for sure I don't know about anybody else," said Burkett.

News 8 spoke with the private investigator on the phone, but he refused an on camera interview.

Meantime, neighbors keep their suspicions about a suspect to themselves.

"Everybody has an idea, but I would never say," said Burkett. "I hope that if it takes luck or prayers they do come across and they find the evidence to convict him."

Jane Pepper's family is still offering a reward of $15,000 for information leading to the arrest of the suspect. 

If you have any information call IMPD's Homicide Division at 327-3475 or if you prefer to remain anonymous call Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.