IMPD investigating 'similarities' after two women found dead near Mitthoefer Road days apart

Investigators are working to determine if the homicides of two women found dead days apart in the same area on the east side of Indianapolis are connected.

The women were found outside with trauma near the 2100 block of North Mitthoefer Road. Both died at the scene and were found roughly 150 yards away from each other, five days apart. 

They were identified as 52-year-old Marianne Weis and 58-year-old Shannon Juanita Lassere.

"First, I want to acknowledge the difficult time for the families of victims," said Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Acting Chief Christopher Bailey. "I want to make it clear that we are in the early stages of this investigation and have not yet determined definitively if these two deaths are connected."

There are "similarities" in the two homicides and police need help from the public to move the investigations forward, Bailey said.

"Out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of public safety, we are here today to share what we can and what we are doing proactively to minimize the risk of this type of violence in our community," Bailey said. "I'm asking for the public's assistance in gathering more information about these cases and these two victims."

More: Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana: What is the organization and how can I submit tips?

At a news conference Friday afternoon, the department’s Homicide Branch Commander Captain Roger Spurgeon said both women lived on or had “strong connections” to the far east side of Indianapolis.

They were killed in similar fashions, and both were white women in their 50s, Spurgeon said.  Investigators did not provide specifics on the causes of the women’s deaths or information on a suspect or suspects.

“There's certain pieces of the investigation we just can't talk about right now to make sure we protect the integrity of the investigation,” Bailey said.

Multiple IMPD units as well as the Marion County Forensic Services Agency are working the investigation. The police department has increased patrols in the area where the women were found as well, Spurgeon said.

"Residents should expect to see more uniform officers patrolling the area and detectives canvassing the neighborhood in the coming days,” Spurgeon said.

Police are asking community members, who live or work nearby, to check surveillance footage for anything out of the ordinary.

“IMPD has reached out to community organizations in the area to update them on the incidents and partner with them for outreach to area residents,” Spurgeon said.

IMPD asks community members to be aware of surroundings after killings on North Mitthoefer Road

As the investigations continues, police are asking community members in the North Mitthoefer Road area to be aware of their surroundings.

Community members should call 911 if something doesn’t feel right and they fear for their safety. Police also advised community members in that area to travel with someone if possible.

It’s also important to have a way to communicate and call for help if needed, Bailey said.

The two homicide cases have been assigned to IMPD detective Ryan Clark. Those with information can call IMPD’s homicide office at 317-327-3475 or email Ryan.Clark@indy.gov.

"These detectives sometime work 24 plus hours straight following leads,” Bailey said. “They will follow the leads until there is nowhere else to follow. The particular detective assigned to this case is one of our best.”

Anyone with information, who wants to remain anonymous, can contact Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477.

Here is what we know about the two women found dead near North Mitthoefer Road

Marianne Weis, 52

Feb. 1: Police responded just before 11 a.m. to the 2100 block of North Mitthoefer Road, near its intersection with East 21st. Street, to a 911 call about a person down near a back road.

Officers found a woman with traumatic injuries. Emergency medical personnel pronounced her deceased. She was identified as Marianne Weis.

Officer William Young with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department said what led to Weis' death is under investigation. He noted that in the hours since finding her body, police expanded their search in the immediate area, bordering an apartment complex and strip mall.

No suspect has been identified.

Shannon Juanita Lassere, 58

Jan. 27: Officers found Shannon Juanita Lassere, 58, suffering trauma at 9:20 a.m. in a parking lot at 2200 N. Mitthoefer Road after responding to a call about a person down.

Lassere was pronounced dead at the scene.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Police looking into 'similarities' in two killings