Community reacts after murder, children abducted

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — Four young children are safe after a homicide and abduction investigation on the northwest side of Indianapolis.

A tight-knit community is left wondering after learning that a woman was stabbed to death inside of her apartment at Whispering Pine.

The coroner’s office has not released the name of the victim because they’re still trying to track down family.

Several people living at that apartment complex tell 24-Hour News 8 that the victim was an older lady, described as very caring and welcoming. They say she opened up her home to the suspect and her two kids.

Kiara Ciares-Quinones is still behind bars Thursday night. She’s facing a preliminary charge of murder for the death of her roommate.

Neighbors say the 23-year-old moved into the apartment not too long ago with her 7-year-old son and 4-month old baby girl.

The victim’s friend said she would go out of her way to help others.

Police received a 911 call from a woman telling them that she had killed her roommate. Witnesses told detectives they saw Ciares-Quinones taking off with two kids in a Honda Civic.

“She was scared because she was yelling at her and threatening her,” neighbor Celia Ochoa said through an interpreter.

Ochoa says she knew something wasn’t right when the victim stopped by a couple of days ago.

“She just asked me to use the phone. She said that because she’s a Christian, she wanted her church brothers to pray for her,” said Ochoa.

Erica Gallegos lives across the street. She, like many others, can’t help but wonder why.

“She really didn’t deserve this because she was a kindful person,” said Erica Gallegos. “But I don’t know why they did this to her.”

24-Hour News 8 learned that the victim was heavily involved with her church. She also lived in that apartment with a third roommate, who has two boys.

Police say it’s possible that the suspect could face additional charges for abduction, but that will be up to the prosecutor’s office to decide.