Munster police suspect homicide at bloody scene

Font Size:

BY DAN HINKEL
dhinkel@nwitimes.com
219.933.4183 | Tuesday, June 05, 2007 | (22 comment(s))

MUNSTER | Investigators suspect homicide in the death of a 26-year-old man found Tuesday in his Munster duplex home with wounds so severe, police could not say how he died. Munster Sgt. Steven Kovacik called the scene “messy.”

The man suffered “a lot of trauma to the midsection,” Kovacik said. If police had tried Tuesday to name a weapon, they would have been “guessing,” said Chief Nick Panich.

“It’s that bad,” Kovacik said.

Lake County coroner’s officials were trying Tuesday night to contact the man’s family. Neither the coroner’s office nor police released the man’s name Tuesday.

A concerned friend found the man dead about 4:30 p.m. in a duplex at 7618 Manor Avenue.

The death in a quiet, tucked-away neighborhood south of the Borman Expressway could be Munster’s first homicide since Margaret Church beheaded her mother in February 2004, blocks north of Tuesday’s scene. The concerned friend found the duplex’s front door unlocked, Kovacik said.

Officers found no signs of a break-in, Panich said. Neighbor Patrick Sullivan said the man’s door had been “wide open” for a day and a half. Police believed Tuesday night the man died Monday, Panich said.

Police were not seeking any specific suspects, Kovacik said. Officers had dealt with the man in the past, but they hadn’t arrested him for any major crimes, Kovacik said.

Neighbors recalled seeing the man arrested after a domestic incident.

“He was in cuffs,” said neighbor Jennifer Kurgan.

Sullivan thinks the man worked for a railroad. Neighbor MaryAnn Cummins estimated the man moved into the block of one-story brick duplexes a few months ago. She saw him infrequently, she said, usually getting out of a forest green Cadillac sedan.

“You don’t know your neighbors anymore, you know?” she said.

Police impounded the Cadillac and a blue sports motorcycle Tuesday.

“You never know where you’re going to find evidence,” Kovacik said.

Crime is rare in the neighborhood, Sullivan said. “It’s quiet back here,” he said.

Back to story 22 comment(s)

Please note: Comments from readers will be screened and may not be posted immediately. If you don't see your comment perhaps:

It wasn't clear, concise or focused on the topic in the story.
It was a personal attack, vulgar, explicit or degrading, used actual or implied profanity or contained potentially libelous statements.
It accused someone of being guilty of a crime.
It promoted violence or illegal acts.
It contained telephone numbers or street addresses, or e-mail addresses and links to Web sites other than nwi.com or government agencies.

In no way do these comments represent the views of The Times or Lee Enterprises.

Passionate views, pointed criticism and critical thinking are welcome. Name-calling, crude and profane language and personal abuse are not welcome.

Reader comments will not be edited - they will be approved or declined. They may be used in the print edition of the newspaper.

If you feel a posted comment has violated these guidelines, please email our New Media team the commenter's name, the comment and a link to the article.

For more information please read our Terms of Service.

Can't get you off my mind wrote on Sep 17, 2007 3:21 PM:

" Wayne not a day goes by that I don't think of you still, I read the paper everyday hoping that something new will turn up about the person that did this to you. I never thought that this would be so hard. But I have all the memories we shared. I can hear you talkin to me. I relive moments in my head, the good and the bad, anything to remember you. I miss you so much. The saying is so true about how you never know what you got till its gone. I LOVE YOU WAYNE P! may you continue to rest in peace. "

your auntie karen wrote on Aug 13, 2007 5:27 PM:

" Wayne,this has been the hardest 2mnths,the not knowing,the who, why in gods earth resort to killing? ITS WAY BEYOND ANY LOGIC! I will miss you so very much, that hug on long awaited visits, and your sweet loveable voice, I know OUR GOD HAS YOU HAPPY AND IN GOOD FORM NOW MY DEAREST NEPHEW MAY YOU R.I.P.FOREVER IN JESUS NAME ALL MY LOVE AUNT KAREN FROM ALLWHO LOVE HERE IN CALIFORINA,LEWIS&WIFE, NINA,AND SON KADIN,KELLY& SON,NATHAN AND AMANDA& DAUGHTER; SELENA "

Your Friend, wrote on Jun 26, 2007 4:51 PM:

" I miss you Lover! I'm so sorry! Until we meet again! "

Lauren wrote on Jun 23, 2007 7:28 PM:

" Picture Me Rollin!! You will be missed and never forgotten RIP Wayne "

M.K, K.P Kib. Fam. wrote on Jun 19, 2007 12:16 PM:

" We are deeply hurt and sadden by the loss of Wayne. He was one of the sweetest people you could know. He was always there for you when you needed him.It breaks our hearts that something like this could happen to him.He was like a Uncle to our son. Wayne was a friend of our family for many years and will be missed always.R.I.P Wanye..You will be hearts forever. "

A close friend that carried something dear. wrote on Jun 7, 2007 10:31 PM:

" Wayn you will never leave my heart.. i will miss you terribly "

Highland Resident wrote on Jun 7, 2007 1:53 AM:

" This terrible tragedy can happen anywhere. It does not matter what other city you live by. The person who did this is responible not the cities nearby Munster. No place you live is safe anymore. Just too many sick people in this world "

maria wrote on Jun 6, 2007 10:26 PM:

" i knew him very well. and i will miss him soo very much!! he has a part of my heart and no one will replace that. my thoughts and prayers go out to his family. but i have a question, how did none of the neighbors hear NOTHING!?!? someone heard something and dont want to come forward! for some of us, we have a hollow hole in our hearts that will not be filled! R.I.P WAYNE P. SMITH. WE LOVE AND MISS YOU! "

Unknown wrote on Jun 6, 2007 9:50 PM:

" Margret Churcg that beheaded her mother was one of my patients when I worked at Lake County Jail "

No Name wrote on Jun 6, 2007 6:32 PM:

" It is pure ignorance to say that "why would you want to live so close to Gary, E.C, or Hammond....99.9% of these cases that occur, the victim knew their attacker! it is rarely random. It is not right to blame entire "areas" for what someone has done! It is that type of attitude that causes discrimination and racism. "

MMMMMM wrote on Jun 6, 2007 5:28 PM:

" Dont Worry...Munsters finest are on the case.... "

Brandon " OD " wrote on Jun 6, 2007 5:18 PM:

" Wayne was a very close friend to me. I'm praying for his family who I also know quite well. It hurts very much to come to the realization that a loved one has been taken away from friends and family in such a way. Although Wayne is gone and has returned to his home in the sky, he will never ever be forgotten. In his 25 years Wayne has touched the lives of many. Its hard to imagine what it will be like without him. I will forever celebrate his life and let the great memories of him help me make it through mine. Wayne, I love you and I'll see you when I get there. "

lauren wrote on Jun 6, 2007 3:45 PM:

" Again, if my door was open for a day and a half would you come to see if I was ok or atleast call the police?? Also it was said no forced entry, maybe someone was in the home with him. My heart goes out to him and his family especially his mother she has been through a lot. So many questions on who and why. I hopw they get who did this. You will be missed Wayne and we will never forget the awesome memories of Wisconsin we had a blast all of us.. "

lauren wrote on Jun 6, 2007 2:55 PM:

" I know him and I feel for him and his family. Hello no one heard anything?? No one questioned his door being wide opened??? I cant wait till they find out who did this to him. All we have left is fun memories "

To God's Country wrote on Jun 6, 2007 2:08 PM:

" People want to live there because it is closer to Chicago. It is close to expressways, and you don't have to drive everywhere. There are some people who still like to walk to the video store instead of driving 2 miles to reach it. People wake up you can't keep moving farther south if you work in Chicago. Who on earth would want to drive almost 2 hours with traffic into Chicago from Crown Point or Valpo. That commute will take it's toll on you. The Borman isn't getting less congested is it? I think moving back to the city is the best idea. All the crime is moving to the suburbs. "

To god's country wrote on Jun 6, 2007 1:56 PM:

" Have you done your geography lately, because last time I checked going down Ridge Rd. you have to go through Highland, Griffith, Black Oak, Calumet Township then Gary, so now will you like me to tell you the direction from Munster to East Chicago?????? "

Neighbor wrote on Jun 6, 2007 1:45 PM:

" Most decent citizens work during the day and therefore, would not be home to hear anything. "

Anonymous wrote on Jun 6, 2007 1:15 PM:

" I thought nothing ever happens in Munster?? When I read the paper, I never hear of any drug arrests, burglaries, robberies etc? Seems weird to me??? Maybe someone is trying to hide something? "

Ian wrote on Jun 6, 2007 12:18 PM:

" This is blocks away from my house. This is horrible and terrifying to be honest. "

close neighbor wrote on Jun 6, 2007 8:39 AM:

" i live very close to this scene, and saw no emergencey vehichles or police in the area. I had no idea this happened! "

God's Country wrote on Jun 6, 2007 6:50 AM:

" Northern Lake County has gone to hell. Why anyone on Earth who can afford to live in Munster want to live so close to Gary, East Chicago, or Hammond is beyond my comprehension. "

Roberta wrote on Jun 6, 2007 12:19 AM:

" I sure would like to know how the neighbors did not hear anything.Or just did not want to get envolved.I hope the people that heard something or knows something steps up and but this person behind bars or burn in hell. "

Back to story 22 comment(s)

Post a comment Once your comments are approved, they will appear here.

Marketplace

Sections

Services

Other Publications

Search