Homicide victim's family wants answers

RICHMOND, Ind. (WDTN) - The city of Richmond is outraged by the murder of Jorge Fonseca, 82. He was found beaten to death outside his home at 1305 South 5th Street, June 19. According to Richmond police, he suffered multiple skull fractures and his wallet was stolen.

For his family, the killer took something much more valuable. That's why they've made flyers, asking for information in the homicide, and Thursday, they set out to post them in the places Fonseca spent his final days.

"We want to keep the fire going so to speak," said Jorgea Robles, Fonseca's daughter. "We don't want what happened to Dad to die out."

The family is afraid that whoever killed their father is still out there; a threat to others. They believe someone has to be helping keep the killer hidden.

"You just don't hide in a bush and survive," said Rick Fonseca, Jorge's son. "Somebody's out there, somebody's helping them, so we're out to get you."

The family's first stop was the Village Pantry gas station where Fonseca stopped for cigarettes the night he died. The clerk allowed them to tape the flyer to the counter where customers pay.

Flyers were also posted at the Main Street Barber Shop, where Fonseca got his hair cut. Everywhere the family went, they found friends.

"How anybody could do such a thing for starters, but it's shocking, is what it was," said Pam Guthrie, who cut Fonseca's hair. "He would come in and sit and read the paper. He wouldn't hurt a fly. He would let others go before him, then he would get his hair cut."

One of the most emotional of stops was at Midtown Cars, where owner Amos Davidson, a good friend of the Fonseca's, met the family at the door.

"It's a shame that he went out like he did and it's just terrible that somebody would do that to an old man," Davidson said through tears.

The two at McDonald's for coffee nearly every morning.

"You shared some laughs at McDonald's didn't you?" asked Fonseca's daughter Anita Thomas.

"Yes. We would share old stories," said Davidson. "I hope they catch those people and they have to pay for the awful deed they did. Everybody needs to get justice, and he needs to get justice."

If you have any information about Jorge Fonseca's death, call Richmond police at 765-983-7256.