Nakeda Norwood was 35 when she was fatally shot in the head in her Indianapolis apartment in the early morning of March 18, 2015. Her four children, then between 8 and 13, were in the home during the incident. Police responded to several unfinished 911 calls about 5:30 a.m. and found Norwood dead inside the residence. Officers encountered her 25-year-old live-in boyfriend, Nick Payne, attempting to leave with the children; he was detained at the scene.

Payne told investigators Norwood had been playing with the gun and accidentally shot herself, but an autopsy ruled the death a homicide. Investigators say Norwood’s eldest daughter tried to call for help during the altercation but was stopped by Payne and later worked to keep her mother coherent until police arrived. Payne was arrested at the scene and charged with murder. Norwood’s children were placed with family members.

Anyone who knew Nakeda, her family, or has information about what happened that morning is asked to come forward.