The northwest-side deaths marked the third apparent murder-suicide investigated in Indianapolis in just over a week.
INDIANAPOLIS — Two young children were inside a northwest Indianapolis apartment when their mother and a man died in an apparent murder-suicide Thursday, adding another family tragedy to a series of similar cases investigated across the city this month.
Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department officers found 26-year-old Gyana Marie Martin and 34-year-old Kenneth Keon Williams Jr. dead after responding shortly after 8 a.m. Oct. 22 to the Colonial Square Apartments in the 4400 block of Moller Road. Investigators believe Williams killed Martin before dying by suicide. Martin’s children were in the apartment but were not reported physically injured.
Police recovered two firearms from the residence. Investigators have not publicly identified a motive or described the relationship between Martin and Williams. Authorities also have not released a full sequence of events explaining what happened before officers were called to the apartment near West 46th Street.
Relatives told local reporters that Martin was raising two children while studying to become a nurse. Family members said she had recently secured a job at IU Health and remembered her as a loving mother. Their accounts shifted attention from the initial double-shooting investigation to the children and family members left behind.
The deaths came three days after another apparent murder-suicide involving a parent and child on the northwest side. On Oct. 19, officers responding to the Village at Eagle Creek Condominiums found 33-year-old Shatayvia Alisha Calderon and her 9-year-old son, Julian Calderon, dead from gunshot injuries. Police later said they believed Calderon killed her son before dying by suicide.
Another case began Oct. 14 after officers were called to the 6500 block of Discovery Drive South for a welfare check. Investigators found adult siblings Heather Ann Staniszeski and Brian Jacob Staniszeski dead at the property. Subsequent findings classified Heather Staniszeski’s death as a homicide and Brian Staniszeski’s death as a suicide.
The three investigations occurred within eight days, but authorities have not announced any evidence linking them. The victims had different family circumstances, and the cases occurred at separate locations. Their close timing does not establish a common cause, and investigators have treated each set of deaths as a separate case.
The Oct. 22 deaths nevertheless brought homicide investigators and other responders to another residence where children and relatives were directly affected. Police have released limited information about Martin’s children and have not publicly identified them, consistent with protecting minors who were not accused of wrongdoing.
The Marion County Coroner’s Office identified Martin and Williams as investigators continued reviewing the Moller Road deaths. Police have not identified another suspect or reported a continuing public threat tied to that case. A motive and a more complete account of what occurred inside the apartment have not been publicly released.
Author note: Last updated October 25, 2026.