Kimberly Stewart, 51, was found dead in the backyard of her Indianapolis home on South Lynhurst Drive late on March 10, 2026. A friend who went to check on her after she’d been out of touch found Kimberly’s dog loose, the back door unlocked, and ultimately located her unresponsive with traumatic injuries. Emergency medics pronounced her dead at the scene.

Kimberly, who bought and repaired cars for resale, died of multiple blunt force trauma injuries, an autopsy determined, injuries consistent with being struck with the blunt side of an ax. The investigation quickly focused on her 45-year-old boyfriend, Travis Wolfe. Neighbors and friends described a volatile relationship; one friend said Wolfe had been threatening people and was known to carry an axe. A neighbor heard a woman scream and saw a man matching Wolfe’s description swinging a club- or hammer-like object where Kimberly was found. Blood was also found in Kimberly’s car, which Wolfe was driving.

Wolfe was located by police hours later and initially detained on an outstanding warrant for unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon. He acknowledged arguing with Kimberly that day but denied striking her with an ax. Wolfe was arrested on a preliminary charge of murder; the Marion County Prosecutor’s Office will decide final charges. If anyone knew Kimberly or has information about that night, please come forward.