Indianapolis, IN – In a case that has rocked the community and raised serious questions about the safety of one of downtown Indianapolis’ most well-known residential complexes, 65-year-old Forest Hill Jr. was found dead inside his apartment at Barton Tower, located in the bustling 500 block of Massachusetts Avenue. On Wednesday afternoon, police responded to a welfare check at approximately 2 p.m., only to discover Hill’s body inside his 14th-floor apartment, the victim of an apparent homicide. The discovery sent shockwaves through his family, friends, and the local community as the investigation continues, leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions and growing public anxiety.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has launched a full-scale homicide investigation and is urging anyone with information to come forward. The case is currently under intense scrutiny, as investigators piece together the tragic final hours of Hill’s life, hoping to identify those responsible for his death. What has unfolded in the wake of his murder is a complex narrative involving grief-stricken family members, a concerned community, and the ever-present shadow of unresolved violence in the city.
The Gruesome Discovery: A Scene of Horror
On that fateful Wednesday afternoon, officers arrived at Barton Tower after receiving a call for a welfare check on Hill. Family members who had not heard from him for several days were growing concerned. Upon entry into the apartment, officers were met with a harrowing scene. Hill’s body was discovered on his bed, surrounded by blood and money, a stark testament to the violence that had transpired. The apartment was described as being in complete disarray, with evidence of a physical struggle.
Hill had clearly suffered trauma-related injuries, and the extent of the damage suggested that his death had been a violent one. He was pronounced dead at the scene. For Hill’s family, the sight was unbearable. His sister, Rece Hill, who spoke to local news outlets shortly after the discovery, described the scene as a “mess,” with blood splattered everywhere, conveying the brutality of the act that took her brother’s life.
“This is something you see in a horror movie,” she said tearfully. “My brother didn’t deserve to die like this. We need answers, and we need justice.”
A Life Cut Short: Who Was Forest Hill Jr.?
Forest Hill Jr. was a man looking to rebuild his life. Having recently been released from jail in July, Hill was determined to make a fresh start. His family said he had been trying to reintegrate into society, finding solace in the small comforts of his apartment at Barton Tower. He had faced a troubled past but was working towards getting his life back on track.
His sister Rece described him as a caring individual, a father, and a beloved family member who deserved better than the tragic end he met. The Hill family has already been reeling from a string of violent deaths within the past year. In April 2023, their nephew, Michael Shoffner, was murdered, and Forest’s death marks the third homicide in their family in the last year alone.
“He was trying to turn his life around,” Rece said. “He was supposed to be safe in his own home, but now he’s gone.”
For Rece and the rest of the Hill family, Forest’s death brings an overwhelming sense of déjà vu. Still grieving from the loss of Shoffner, they now face the same agonizing process of seeking justice once again. Rece vowed to stop at nothing in her pursuit of her brother’s killer, publicly stating, “I’m not going to stop looking for you, starting today. Until justice is served. For who’s to say you won’t treat someone else this way?”
A Mysterious Welfare Check: Unresolved Questions
One of the key mysteries surrounding the case involves the welfare check that led police to Hill’s apartment. According to family members, none of Hill’s actual nephews had made the call. This raises questions about who called the police and why they identified themselves as Hill’s nephew. Was this a concerned friend, or could it be connected to the events leading up to Hill’s death?
Rece Hill expressed confusion and concern over this aspect of the case, noting that the family was unaware of anyone who would have called using this false identity. As the investigation deepens, this discrepancy has only added to the family’s unease, and the question lingers: Who made that initial call, and what did they know about Hill’s fate?
A Frightened Community: Safety Concerns at Barton Tower
Barton Tower, a prominent high-rise in downtown Indianapolis, is home to many residents, many of them seniors. For years, the complex has been a cornerstone of affordable housing in the city, but it has also been the site of repeated criminal activity. Over the past three decades, the area has seen over 30 deaths, according to local activist Leslie Allen, who runs a senior care clinic near the building. She pointed out that the safety of residents has long been a concern, but Hill’s death has ignited fresh fears.
“People here have been complaining about safety for years, but it feels like nobody listens,” Allen said. “We’ve lost too many lives, and now we’ve lost another. Something needs to be done.”
The Indianapolis Housing Agency (IHA), which manages Barton Tower, released a statement offering condolences to the Hill family. While expressing their commitment to cooperating fully with the IMPD’s investigation, they remained tight-lipped about the specifics of Hill’s case, citing the ongoing nature of the investigation. Their statement emphasized that resident safety is a top priority and that they are constantly working to improve security measures within the building.
However, for many residents, the assurances ring hollow. Hill’s death has exposed deep-seated frustrations over the apparent inability to curb violence within the building. With surveillance cameras and security staff in place, many are left wondering how such a violent crime could occur without detection or intervention.
“We have cameras, we have staff, but we still don’t feel safe,” one resident, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “If this can happen to Forest, it can happen to any of us.”
The Road to Justice: The IMPD Investigation
As the IMPD homicide detectives continue their investigation, they are calling on the public to provide any information that could lead to an arrest. Detectives have been combing through surveillance footage, interviewing residents, and conducting forensic tests in an effort to track down the perpetrator or perpetrators responsible for Hill’s death.
For now, the case remains open, with more questions than answers. Did Hill know his killer? Was this a random act of violence or something more personal? The investigation will likely hinge on unraveling these key questions, and the IMPD is encouraging anyone with information to come forward, no matter how small it may seem.
“There is no piece of information that’s too insignificant,” IMPD spokesperson Sgt. Michael Campbell said in a press briefing. “We’re following every lead, and we’re determined to get to the bottom of this.”
While the detectives work to gather evidence, Hill’s family is left in limbo, torn between grief and anger. The trauma of losing a loved one to violence is all too familiar for them, but this time, they are resolved to ensure that justice is served swiftly.
Community Activism: A Call for Change
In the aftermath of Hill’s death, community leaders are using the tragedy as a rallying point to push for change. Leslie Allen, the local activist who has worked in the area for over thirty years, said that the community is “fed up” with the ongoing violence. Alongside other local activists, she plans to organize a public forum to address safety concerns at Barton Tower and throughout the downtown area.
“We can’t sit idly by while our neighbors are being murdered,” Allen said. “We need the city to take this seriously, and we need action – not just words.”
Allen is advocating for increased security measures at Barton Tower, including more comprehensive surveillance systems, additional security personnel, and stricter monitoring of who enters and exits the building. She also called on city officials to invest in community programs that address the root causes of violence, such as poverty, mental health issues, and substance abuse.
The Barton Tower community has also started organizing vigils and rallies in Hill’s memory, seeking to keep the spotlight on the case and maintain pressure on authorities to deliver justice. At one such vigil, attended by dozens of residents and supporters, attendees held candles and shared memories of Hill, vowing to stand with his family in their fight for answers.
A City in Mourning: The Broader Impact of Violence in Indianapolis
Forest Hill Jr.’s death is not an isolated incident; it is part of a troubling pattern of violence that has gripped Indianapolis in recent years. Like many cities across the United States, Indianapolis has seen a rise in violent crime, particularly homicides, in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The reasons are complex, with experts pointing to a combination of economic hardship, social isolation, and strained public services.
In 2023, Indianapolis saw a record number of homicides, and while the numbers have slightly decreased in 2024, the city continues to grapple with the effects of widespread violence. For families like the Hills, each new death is a painful reminder of the unresolved trauma that plagues their community.
City leaders have vowed to make reducing violence a priority, with Mayor Joe Hogsett’s administration pledging increased funding for anti-violence programs and community policing initiatives. However, critics argue that these efforts have been slow to yield results, leaving many residents feeling vulnerable and unprotected.
A Plea for Justice
As the investigation into Forest Hill Jr.’s death continues, his family remains hopeful that justice will be served. They are urging anyone with information about the case to come