Indianapolis police are seeking the public’s assistance in locating a person of interest in connection with a January murder and house fire on the city’s east side. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has identified 40-year-old Jessica Gillespie as someone who may have information about the events leading up to the murder of Charles Linstrum earlier this year.
The incident occurred on January 7, 2023, when officers responded to a possible arson at Linstrum’s residence on 9000 E. 18th Street. Upon arrival, they discovered the 70-year-old victim inside the home, suffering from traumatic injuries. Linstrum was treated at the scene by EMS and later pronounced dead at Eskenazi Hospital.
Following the determination by the Marion County Coroner’s Office that Linstrum’s death was a homicide, IMPD detectives initiated an investigation. During the course of their work, they identified Jessica Gillespie as a person of interest.
IMPD is urging anyone with information about Linstrum’s death or Gillespie’s whereabouts to come forward. Homicide Detectives Daniel Smith and Robert Chappell can be reached at (317) 327-3475, or individuals can provide information via email to Daniel.Smith@indy.gov and Robert.Chappell@indy.gov. Alternatively, anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at (317) 262-TIPS or through the P3tips mobile app or website (www.CrimeTips.org).
The police have also released an image of Jessica Gillespie, which can be viewed on the Fox59 news website. The public is advised not to approach Gillespie but to contact law enforcement with any relevant information.
As the investigation into this murder and house fire continues, IMPD hopes that the public’s assistance will help bring justice to Charles Linstrum and provide answers to his grieving loved ones.
