John Stehr/Eyewitness News
Indianapolis - The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police say they are investigating a murder as the Fire Department looks for evidence of arson. It happened on the near east side at 38th and Emerson Thursday night. Firefighters called police after what they found when putting out an apartment fire.
IMPD confirmed that the suspected arson scene is now also an apparent murder scene. The coroner's report says that someone stabbed 59-year-old Joyce Parham to death.
"There is a possibility that arson was used to cover it up, that's also being investigated by the arson unit," said Sgt. Matt Mount, IMPD.
Parham lived alone at the Sedona Apartments. Firefighters found smoke coming from the building. They knocked down the door and found the heaviest smoke coming from Parham's bedroom.
Parham's brother says he has no idea why anyone would want to hurt her. He says she was "a humanitarian."
"She helped everybody, well-liked, just a good person, good person," said Ray Parham.
Police say Parham's murder is the second in the city this year.
Police say it will be a painstaking process to gather evidence in the case because much of it may have burned in the fire.
