Allen County city investigating possible 1st homicide in 20 years

NEW HAVEN, Ind. (WANE) New Haven police are investigating what could be their first homicide in 20 years. Someone was found dead inside a New Haven home Wednesday morning, and the police chief said foul play was suspected.

New Haven Police Chief Henry McKinnon told 24-Hour News 8 partner WANE-TV on Wednesday that officers were called around 8:20 a.m. to a home at 1024 Hartzell Road, just south of S.R. 930 in central New Haven. McKinnon would only say his investigators were working a death investigation and that they suspected foul play.

The chief would not confirm the age, gender, or identity of the victim. They are still awaiting autopsy results from the coroner. Multiple friends tell WANE that the victim is 30-year-old Jaime Klein. According to friends Klein just celebrated her 30th birthday. They said she was originally from Fort Wayne and went to Heritage High school. Friends also said Klein does have a daughter, and that her daughter is okay.

Neighbors told NewsChannel 15 that officers had been working in and around the home since about 8 a.m. through roughly 3:30 p.m. Police could be seen searching the home and a vehicle, removing items from both, neighbors said.

By late afternoon Wednesday, the small, single-story gray home was quiet, and cordoned off by yellow police tape.

The neighbors said a woman and a young girl live in the home. They told WANE that they’ve noticed an increase in activity in and out of the home lately, and heard arguing.

McKinnon would not confirm the case has any connection to a death investigation along Fort Wayne’s south side reported at the same time Wednesday morning. In that case, a man’s body was found in a ditch off Fairfield Avenue. At least one Fort Wayne Police officer could be seen at the New Haven scene.