The Marion County Coroner says pregnant mother Amanda Blackburn died from a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death has been ruled a homicide.
The autopsy could help detectives gather more details on what happened inside her northwest Indianapolis home Tuesday morning during a home invasion and attempted robbery.
Her husband, Pastor Davey Blackburn, returned home from gym and found her unconscious with a gunshot wound. Thursday afternoon, police said Davey Blackburn has been "100% cleared" in the investigation. Detectives say Blackburn's time at the gym has been accounted for by security camera images from the gym.
Homicide detectives are working around the clock looking for possible clues that may indicate who killed her.
The couple's toddler was home at the time of home invasion, but unharmed.
Detectives and a second crime lab team revisited the Blackburn home on Sunnyfield Court on Indianapolis' northwest side Wednesday night after releasing the house Tuesday back to the family.
A local professional commercial cleaning company had already been called in and had left the home by Wednesday afternoon.
No details have been made public about what, if anything, police found after detectives relaunched the crime scene evidence techs. There's no word yet on why they did so.
The coroner officially announced Amanda's death on Wednesday and Thursday's autopsy could answer several forensic questions detectives have which include projectiles, ballistics & exact time of death.
Celebration of Life services
Meantime, local Indianapolis pastors have decided on an alternate plan instead of a separate vigil in memory of Amanda Blackburn. They will participate in the Celebration of Life services soon to be announced by The Blackburn Family. The Indianapolis-area clergy wants to show full support of Pastor Davey Blackburn.
Lt. Richard Riddle with the Indianapolis Metro Police Department spoke with WTHR about the case.
"Obviously our detectives were back out there last night following up with that case and looking for any more evidence that we can find about that case," he said, regarding the second visit IMPD made to the home.
He said IMPD is looking into whether or not the fatal home invasion is linked to other burglaries in the area. A burglary occurred in the same area earlier that morning.
Detectives will be looking into any possible surveillance video that could help them make a break in the case.
"I don't know about specific video in that neighborhood. I know if anyone has any surveillance video we would certainly like look for it, look through it and see if there is anything suspicious on it that we can use for this particular case," said Lt. Riddle.
Lt. Riddle says detectives are working with Davey Blackburn, Amanda's husband, to determine what was taken.
"I know our detectives are working with the husband to figure out exactly what may have been taken and would lead us down a path of further investigation to see if we can find the killers," he said.
Indianapolis residents may recall a pair of brutal home invasions that occurred in October 2013.
"I know there are concerns of that in the neighborhood. And we're certainly doing our best to bring these killers into our custody and bring them to justice," said Lt. Riddle.
Although Lt. Riddle referred to "killers," he said at this point police don't know how many people they're looking for. They also don't know how the intruders got into the house.
"I know our detectives are speaking with the husband and are following up on basically how he left the house that morning. And if that door was locked or if it wasn't; things like that," said Lt. Riddle.
WTHR also asked Lt. Riddle about the brutality of the crime and the fact that Amanda Blackburn saw the intruders.
"Absolutely, that's something we're looking into. It's a concern to us anytime you have somebody inside their home that's brutally murdered like this. That level brutality, like you said, certainly concerns us. That's why we're really looking for the public's help us to bring these killers forward. You got to believe someone out there knows something. Individuals talk and we're looking for anybody with any more information to come forward."
Neighbors are being advised to keep a watchful eye out.
"If you see something, say something. If you know any information, bring it forward to us. Obviously, personal safety - keep your home locked. Keep your doors and windows secured. If you see any suspicious activity please call 911 immediately. Our officers will respond," said Lt. Riddle.
So far, police have no description of a suspect vehicle or any suspects.
Anyone with information about the incident can earn up to $1,000 in reward money by calling Crime Stoppers at 262-TIPS.
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