Family, police ask for help finding Bristol mother's killer

by Troy Kehoe (tkehoe@wsbt.com)

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The body of a 22-year-old woman was found inside her River Shores apartment in Bristol

The body of a 23-year-old woman was found inside her River Shores apartment in Bristol on Tuesday, March 18, 2008. (WSBT photo)

By Jim Pinkerton

BRISTOL — The family of a 23-year-old mother of two, found murdered in her apartment Tuesday, are joining police to plead that someone with information about the killer step forward.

Police found the body of Sheena Kiska inside her River Shores apartment in Bristol just before 3 p.m. Tuesday. An autopsy Wednesday night confirmed she was beaten and stabbed to death.

Neighbors say one of her two children was found wandering outside the apartment. They called 911 after the child told them "Mom was hurt."

Police would not confirm the sex or age of the child, but said Kiska has two children, and that both are now "doing fine."

Now an intense manhunt is underway to find the person responsible for what police say is the first homicide in Bristol's recorded history.

For Sheena's father Greg Kiska, the moment seemed unreal.

"She was a wonderful mother of her children. [A loving person], oh yes," he said.

Just days ago, he was speaking to his daughter, and looking forward to visiting his two grandchildren.

Now, he and his family sat listening to words they hoped they'd never hear.

"At approximately 5 p.m. [Wednesday], the Elkhart County Coroner's Office ruled from the findings of the autopsy that this death is a homicide," said Bristol Police Marshal Michael Swallow.

"Death was due to multiple sharp force trauma," said Elkhart County Coroner John White.

Police won't elaborate on how Kiska died, or on whether there were signs of forced entry into her home. They also refused to say whether reported arguments neighbors say they overheard near the apartment in recent weeks may have been connected to her death.

"The history of this apartment is very minimal to us. I'll leave it at that," said Bristol Police Chief Deputy Mike Albin.

Albin said all police would confirm is that they are following up on several leads.

"We're open to all possibilities," he said. "We do not want to focus in on one thing, and we're not going to exclude anything."

But Marshal Swallow admits, so far, they have little to go on.

"We've had nothing so far [that's been] substantial," he said.

It's not the news Nicole Defronzo wanted to hear.

She lives next door to the apartment where Kiska was found, and says she and her fiance are shaken up.

"I'm kind of scared to be here honestly," she said. "We're putting the chains on the door all the time."

But police say there's no reason for the community to be afraid, because they don't feel there's an imminent threat.

"The citizens of Bristol have nothing to worry about," said Chief Deputy Albin. "This is not something that's going to jeopardize our general citizens. We're working on this case, which appears to be an isolated incident."

Still, they're asking for anyone with information to come forward..

"We're asking for the public's assistance in any way, shape or form," said Marshal Swallow. "They can give us anything they may know."

It's a plea being repeated by Sheena's family, as they search for answers in the face of tragedy.

"Anybody that knows anything, or has any information on this, please come forward and help solve this," Kiska pleaded. "Please help us."

Police finished collecting evidence from the apartment Wednesday, and say they are pursuing some new leads in connection with what they've found.

Several nearby departments, including Mishawaka Police, Indiana State Police, Michigan State Police, Constantine Police and investigators from the Elkhart County Sheriff's Department and Elkhart County Prosecutor's Office are assisting in the investigation.

Saturday, Oct 18 at 3:25 PM The Familz still needs help! wrote ...

Please pray for this family. They need help!

Friday, Mar 21 at 2:16 PM Beaker wrote ...

How could this have happened in an apartment complex just full of people you'd love to get to know?

Friday, Mar 21 at 1:11 AM night owl wrote ...

i didnt know this young lady but my heart goes out to this young ladys young children growing up without a mommy, the family is in my prayers, i pray they find who did this and you will have some closure. may god comfort you these next few days as they will be rough for each and everyone of you. GOD BLESS

Thursday, Mar 20 at 10:09 PM ann c wrote ...

prayers go out to the family. my daughter is a new resident to river shores. and within 2 weeks of living there her apartment was rob and now this. I FEAR for my grand children. She has not slept there since and probably won't until whoever is caught.

Thursday, Mar 20 at 9:59 PM Anonymous wrote ...

Thank you to those of you who feel for my family and I. My sister was a beautiful woman and mother. I am broken forever and I hope people realize this is more than a stupid news cast. And just so you all know..the info that she had been aruing with someone is in-accurate.. That is what you call media fluff.

Thursday, Mar 20 at 5:51 PM Alishia wrote ...

I worked with Sheena and she was a great person to be around. I am hurt that someone would take her life. I will miss her very much.

Thursday, Mar 20 at 1:01 PM Anonymous wrote ...

God Bless this family....

Thursday, Mar 20 at 12:16 PM Bill C wrote ...

I couldn't believe the news. I knew this girl since we were 6 years old. I am in shock and I don't know what to think at this point. RIP my friend.

Thursday, Mar 20 at 8:11 AM someone wrote ...

What a terrible tragedy. If I were police, I would look more closley at who the woman had been arguing with.

Wednesday, Mar 19 at 11:00 PM anony.. wrote ...

My prayers go out to this womans family, and for her children, I can't believe this happend. I hope they find whoever has done this before anyone else gets hurt. Thank the lord that the children are ok, the family is in my prayers.

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