Police seek help to find suspect in killing of Indiana woman found in casino garage
BY MICHELLE QUINN Sun-Times Media April 4, 2013 1:07AM
Police are searching for this man in connection with the death of Mary Austgen, 76, of St. John, Ind., in the early morning hours of Friday, March 29, in the Buffington Harbor parking garage in Gary, Ind. | Photo provided
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Updated: April 4, 2013 1:10AM
Law enforcement officials are seeking the public’s help in identifying a man thought to have abducted and killed a 76-year-old Griffith business owner last week.
At a news conference Wednesday evening in front of the Griffith Police station, police Public Information Officer Matt Aragadine and Gary Police Chief Wade Ingram said a photo of the suspect, released earlier in the day, was taken from security cameras at Mary Austgen’s business at 801 E. Main St.
Austgen is seen talking with the man, but audio from the security cameras was not intelligible, police said.
Argadine and Ingram said Austgen’s shooting death was not a random act of violence and Austgen did not leave voluntarily with the man in the photo.
Austgen, of St. John, was taken about 5:40 p.m. March 28 and found dead about 2:10 a.m. March 29 in her 2012 GMC Yukon Denali in the parking garage of the Majestic Star Casino. The Lake County coroner’s office listed her cause of death as a gunshot wound to the abdomen.
Ingram said police will review security tapes from Majestic Star to see if anyone fits the description of the man seen in the photo. He wanted to assure patrons that they aren’t in danger.
“If people are fearing for their safety, they won’t patronize the business,” Ingram said. “We’ve met with the management for Majestic Star and have assured them we don’t believe their patrons are in jeopardy.”
Anyone who can identify the suspect or has any information on the killing should contact Griffith Police at (219) 924-3141 or their anonymous tip line at (219) 922-3085. Tipsters also can email information to griffithpolice@griffith.in.gov.
Individuals also may contact Gary Police Detective Lorenzo Davis at (219) 881-4738 or the Gary Police anonymous tip line at (866) 274-6347.
