Uber Driver Charged in Chilling Murder of Indianapolis Woman

A horrific tragedy has rocked Indianapolis as a rideshare driver was arrested for allegedly murdering his female passenger after she was reported missing earlier this week. Police confirmed on Tuesday that 30-year-old Chanti Dixon was found shot to death near a wooded area after she had vanished.

Dixon was last seen alive in the early hours of Sunday morning after requesting an Uber ride home from work. She ordered the ride around 3:30 a.m., but after that, no one heard from her again, according to Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Chief Chris Bailey. By Monday, authorities received a report about a body found near a residential area, which was later identified as Dixon. She had been shot, the police chief confirmed.

The investigation quickly pointed to 29-year-old Francisco Valadez, the driver who had picked Dixon up that morning. Valadez has since been arrested and charged with murder, according to officials.

“This is disgusting, it’s disturbing,” Bailey said during a press briefing on Tuesday. “No one in our community deserves to be treated this way.”

Valadez is currently in custody, with a court appearance scheduled for Thursday. The Marion County Prosecutor’s Office is expected to file formal charges soon, and police anticipate more charges to follow.

According to police, Dixon was discovered at a dead-end street with a gunshot wound to the left side of her head. Investigators also found two cell phones belonging to her near the scene. Detectives traced the Uber ride directly to Valadez. Initially, Valadez claimed a man had tried to rob Dixon and shot her, but as police continued to question him, his story changed. Eventually, Valadez allegedly admitted to shooting Dixon inside his car while attempting to have sex with her, as outlined in the probable cause affidavit.

Uber has banned Valadez from its platform following the incident. “Our hearts break for Ms. Dixon’s family and loved ones,” a spokesperson for Uber shared in a statement. “The details of this act of violence are atrocious, and we will fully support the investigation.”

Indianapolis Assistant Police Chief Catherine Cummings also spoke out about the tragedy, acknowledging how this incident resonates deeply with many women. “As a woman, this hits differently,” she said. “Women and girls have the right to move freely in our community without fear of violence. This is every family’s worst nightmare, and we extend our deepest condolences to Chanti Dixon’s loved ones.”

Both Cummings and Bailey assured the public that this was an isolated incident, emphasizing that ridesharing services remain a generally safe option for transportation. Still, the death of Chanti Dixon serves as a grim reminder of the dangers some women face. “This woman is gone from the world unnecessarily by an evil act,” Bailey concluded. “I’m grateful we found this individual before he could hurt anyone else.”