Police rule Geist death a homicide

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Metro Police are now calling a Geist death investigation a homicide.

Officers were called to the 11458 Windhaven Court around 11:30 Wednesday morning.

Police said a neighbor found 49-year-old Stephen Pence dead.

At first, police thought Pence’s death was probably an accident because he’s legally blind and has problems walking due to diabetes. His body was found at the foot of the stairs.

But police said evidence in the house later led them to determine Pence was murdered. According to investigators, Pence died from trauma to the head. They won’t comment on a specific murder weapon.

“It’s hard to believe,” said Pence’s good friend and neighbor, Craig Miller. “I can’t think of anyone who would want to harm him. It’s one of those things that doesn’t make sense.”

Police said Pence had been dead for at least one day. When they arrived, they found the garage door half open, an upstairs window broken and music playing.

Neighbors can’t believe such a horrific crime hit so close to home,

“All the years I’ve lived here, we haven’t even had a car break-in. It’s shocking news,” added Miller.

Detectives said they’ve interviewed several people but they have no official suspects. Neighbors said Pence’s girlfriend used to live with him but she now works in Louisville and visits Pence on the weekend.