Sheriff: Homicide victim was targeted in Johnson County home
The beating death of a man in suburban Johnson County was no random act of violence, Sheriff Doug Cox said.
"This was not likely a random incident," Cox told IndyStar via email Monday. "Right now we believe that Andrew Perry was the intended target."
Perry, 50, was found dead Friday in his home in the 2900 block of Cadogan Drive, near Ind. 135 and Stones Crossing Road in White River Township.
The cause of death was blunt-force trauma, police said.
Perry's friend for about a year, Kim Murray Ward, called him an "awesome and interesting man."
"He loved his son and lived life to the fullest," Ward told IndyStar via Facebook. "Drew loved music and lived his life to his own music soundtrack."
Neighbors told IndyStar that Perry appeared to enjoy entertaining friends, and music could be heard coming from his home some nights.
Violent crime is rare in the suburban neighborhood of single-family homes and townhouses about 2 miles east of Center Grove High School. The crime scene tape, squad cars and a mobile command vehicle stationed on the street Friday put many neighbors on edge.
Perry's mother visited the home about 9:15 a.m. Friday and discovered the garage door open and another door ajar. She went inside and found her son on the floor. She called 911, police said, thinking he had suffered a medical emergency.
Perry lived in a two-story duplex townhome with his 19-year-old son.
Police said the teen had spent the night with relatives and was not home when his father died.
Cox urged homeowners to protect themselves and their property by locking their doors, closing their garages and keeping valuables out of sight.
"We want people to secure their homes at all times and be aware of their surroundings," Cox said, "especially during this holiday season."
Call IndyStar reporter Vic Ryckaert at (317) 444-2701. Follow him on Twitter: @vicryc.