Two women were found dead days apart in the same area on the east side of Indianapolis, investigators said.

Police are now trying to determine whether the two deaths 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," Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department Acting Chief Christopher Bailey said. "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."  

Two murders, five days apart

Bailey said the two homicides had "similarities" and called on the public's help to move the investigations forward.  

"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." 

On Thursday, police responded to a 911 call about a person down near a back road just before 11 a.m. on the 2100 block of North Mitthoefer Road. Officers found Weis with traumatic injuries, and emergency medical personnel pronounced her dead at the scene.

Five days earlier, on Jan. 27, police found Lassere suffering from trauma at 9:20 a.m. in a parking lot at 2200 N. Mitthoefer Road. Lassere was also pronounced dead at the scene.

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At a news conference Friday, 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 are 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 on the investigation. The police department has increased patrols in the area where the women were found, 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.  

Police ask community members to be on alert

As the investigation 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 sometimes 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.  

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