Family needs help fulfilling murder victim’s dying wish
INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – A murder victim’s family is pleading for the public to help solve the crime while also trying to fulfill his dying wish.
On April 10, 66-year-old Patrick Wilson was killed in the stairwell of his apartment building in the 3800 block of Bennett Drive. The complex is named Pangea Parkwest Apartments.
Police don’t have any suspects but said they’ve been following up on several leads.
Katlin Rafael said it wasn’t supposed to happen this way. Her uncle, Patrick Wilson, was planning a trip back home to Nicaragua within the next month. He’s still going, only now it’s to be buried.
“It’s just hard that he was taken for no reason,” she said with tears in her eyes.
Last week, Rafeal said her uncle was walking back from a grocery trip. He was nearly home, literally steps away from his door, when she said his brother heard a commotion near the stairs.
“He heard, ‘Arel, Arel, they’re trying to rob me, call the police!’ And right after that, shots,” she said.
Police said Wilson was shot in the torso and died in the stairwell. Rafael isn’t even sure if the shooter stole anything from her uncle.
“It’s just a really senseless murder. He didn’t have to get killed. No reason for that.
A surveillance camera hovers over the apartment’s entrance but police said it caught nothing. That’s why they’re checking cameras along Wilson’s final route to see if he was followed and hope witnesses come forward with information.
“It is extremely crucial to provide (information) to investigators and provide some kind of justice for this family,” said Officer Rafael Diaz, IMPD. “Do the right thing. Let’s provide our investigators all the leads available.”
“If you think you just saw the color of the sweater, the color of the jacket, the shoes, anything would help,” said Rafael.
It’s help that could solve a crime and bring her family closure.
“My uncle never imagined dying here,” she said.
Rafael said some of her neighbors were afraid to call police. That’s why investigators want to emphasize that they can use Crime Stoppers to call in a tip and remain anonymous. The number is 317-262-TIPS (8477).
Rafael said her uncle had lived in Indianapolis for 20 years but he was born in Nicaragua. She said he always planned to eventually move back home and be buried next to his father and brother.
They want to make sure that happens, but having to suddenly pay for it is difficult for them. They said sending Wilson back to Central American will cost about $7,000, a price they can’t afford.
“Thankfully we have a lot of friends, coworkers of his that have helped us, but we’re still coming up short,” she said.
Rafael said they’ve raised about $2,000 so far. Now they’re hoping the community will help.
They started a GoFundMe page where people can make donations online. They need $4,800 to meet their goal.
If you’d like to make a donation, click here.
