Friend recalls victim and brother in Brownsburg homicide case

BROWNSBURG, Ind. (WISH) — Police have found the car a witness spotted speeding away from a murder scene Thursday night, officers said. Detectives said the owner of the car is the victim’s brother, who is now a person of interest in the case.

Detectives found Christopher Brabson dead in his Brownsburg apartment Thursday around 7 p.m. He lived with his brother, Justin, on the 7000 block of Meadow Trail.

A neighbor told officers he heard gunshots then saw a man run into Justin’s car and speed off. Police said the witness did not see the man’s face.

A passerby called police Friday when they spotted the 1997 maroon Toyota Camry on the side of I-74 westbound near Crawfordsville, police said. The car was off with no one inside. Police said they’re searching the area for any clues.

A coroner started Christopher’s autopsy at 4 p.m. Friday, according to police.

Ryan Byrd said he’s a family friend of the Brabsons and he’s known the brothers since their kindergarten days. He said he was struggling to get through his work day Friday.

“It’s really hard. It makes you wanna cry. It make you want to break down. It makes you wanna go home but at the same time you can’t. You’re on the job. You got to keep your mind focused,” Byrd said.

Byrd said the brothers always got along growing up.

He said somebody must know what happened, but he doesn’t know who.

“If they know what happened to Chris, they need to come forward. We want to know why. That’s what everybody wants to know. Why Chris?” Byrd said.

Brownsburg Police said they have “minimal history” with the brothers and they’ve never arrested them.

Anyone with information on the case can call Brownsburg Police.