A horrifying incident occurred in Indianapolis, Indiana involving an Uber driver, Francisco Valadez, who is accused of raping and murdering his passenger, Chanti Dixon, a 30-year-old woman.
Dixon, who was a mother of two children, was found dead in a wooded area on Monday, September 9, after booking a ride home from her work. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) took Valadez into custody under suspicion of murder after he reportedly confessed to the crime.
According to a probable cause affidavit, Valadez, 29, initially gave conflicting statements to the police. His first account suggested that Dixon was a victim of a robbery attempt by an unnamed “Black” man who allegedly shot her. However, upon further questioning, Valadez admitted to trying to sexually assault Dixon in the back seat of his car. He claimed that during the struggle, he shot her in the head and then disposed of her body behind a concrete barrier at a dead-end street.
The IMPD officers, while discussing the case, labeled the incident as “disturbing” and “disgusting.” Assistant Police Chief of Indianapolis, Catherine Cummings, expressed her outrage at the crime, stating that women and mothers should not have to live in fear of such terrifying acts. She extended her condolences to Dixon’s family, referring to the event as a family’s worst nightmare.
Dixon’s family found her body after tracing her phone to the wooded area near her home. Personal items belonging to Dixon were found at the crime scene, further implicating Valadez. The authorities also revealed that assistance from the community led to his identification and subsequent arrest. On September 16, Valadez was arrested and charged with felony murder, attempted rape, and attempted abuse of a corpse. The investigation is still in progress.
The police also interviewed Valadez’s mother, who mentioned her son’s ownership of a gun that he commonly carried. She stated that he had recently cleaned his car, but left the items inside. Court records show that police later found bloody rags and a Walther PPX 9mm firearm in Valadez’s room.
In the aftermath of the incident, Uber has removed Valadez from its platform. The company released a statement expressing condolences to Dixon’s family and reaffirming its dedication to rider safety.
The victim’s family initiated a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral costs and support Dixon’s two children, aged 13 and 10. Dixon’s sister, who started the fundraiser, described Chanti as a “devoted mother” whose laughter could light up a room. The campaign has already raised several thousands of dollars as the community mourns the loss.
The IMPD is urging anyone with additional information about any suspicious encounters with Valadez to come forward. A hotline has been set up for tips related to the case, underlining the importance of community involvement in the ongoing investigation.