By Rachel Stenger
A probe into last week’s explosion on the Southside of Indianapolis is now a homicide investigation, and authorities are looking for a white van seen in the area before the blast, the city’s mayor and a prosecutor said Monday.
“At this time, we’ve carried out parallel operations as far as recovery and investigation,” said Gary Coons, the city’s director of Homeland Security. “At this time, we are here to inform you that we are turning this into a criminal homicide investigation.”
Coons appeared with Mayor Greg Ballard and Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry in a hastily called news conference after the mayor met with residents of the Richmond Hills subdivision, where the blast occurred Nov. 10.
“The investigation consists of numerous interviews of witnesses as well as execution of search warrants,” Curry said.
He said the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms is offering a $10,000 reward for information resulting in an arrest and conviction in the case. The local Crime Stoppers group is offering an additional $1,000 reward, he said.
Curry declined to reveal any details of the investigation or to take questions. But he did urge those with information to contact Crime Stoppers.
“Specifically, if anyone has information about a white van seen in the subdivision on the day of the explosion and about the occupants of those vans, we urge you to contact Crime Stoppers,” he said.
The explosion killed two people — Jennifer Longworth, a Ball State alumna, and her husband John “Dion” Longworth. Funerals were held for the two Monday, where hundreds of people turned out.
It also leveled two homes and destroyed or damaged as many as 80 others.
Investigations had previously focused on natural gas, with officials recovering appliances from the homes.
