INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — A woman murdered on the southwest side should still be here; that’s what her family and those who knew her are saying.

Police found 51-year-old Kimberly Stewart dead Tuesday in her backyard in the 1300 block of South Lynhurst Drive between West Morris Street and Plainfield Avenue.

Stewart’s sister Kele Volpino in a statement said, “There is a particular cruelty in being asked to summarize a life while your heart is still unsure of where to land, still reaching for someone it will never hold again.”
Volpino wants to honor her sister’s life and not the way she died.

Volpino describes her sister as beautiful. “She was not merely loved she was woven deeply into the lives of those around her.” She goes on to say her kindness, laughter and warmth was radiant.

One of Kimberly’s supervisors and friend at UPS remembers her well. Tanisha Lewis said, “She just a really positive attitude, very outgoing eager to work. … Kim was a pretty girl but she was a tough girl. She could keep up with the men. There was no job she couldn’t do.” Lewis said she’s worked with Volpino for 3 years. I didn’t want to pry but I wished I could have asked more questions maybe I could have helped her. Maybe she would still be here.”

Police found Stewart dead in her backyard that police found Stewart. Police said she had injuries consistent with trauma. Police arrested 45-year-old Travis Wolfe as a suspect in Stewart’s murder. He was caught just hours after police were called in thanks to community members.

Lewis described Wolfe as the ex boyfriend Kimberly wanted to get away from. Lewis says Stewart was thinking of filing a restraining order. She also says Wolfe broke Stewart’s phone. “She appeared to be very strong. And there’s a phrase that says check on your strong friends. I just wished that I had went a little deeper and just took a moment to ask her if there was something I could do.”

Lewis said work is not the same. “It was so surreal that we were just talking and laughing with her the day before the incident. Everybody was crying. Everyone’s feeling hurt. She’s going to be missed. She’s going to be missed.

Stewart’s family is asking for privacy.

Wolfe’s next court hearing is Monday at 9 a.m. He is charged with murder, and possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon.