Missing Merrillville woman found strangled in Gary

GARY (Sun-Times Media Wire) - Two people are in custody after a 23-year-old northwest Indiana woman missing for nearly a week was found murdered Thursday afternoon in Gary.

Diamond C. Lewis of Merrillville, who had last been seen Saturday, was found dead in the basement of an abandoned house in the 1400 block of West 18th Avenue in Gary, according to Gary and Merrillville police.

Her body was discovered after Gary detectives were notified by a “verified source” about her location about 4 p.m. Thursday, police said.

Lewis, of the 1400 block of West 73rd Place in Merrillville, died of asphyxiation due to strangulation, and her death was ruled a homicide, according to the Lake County coroner’s office.

Lewis was reported missing April 16 after last being seen at her apartment and also in Gary on April 12, police said. Her 2-month-old daughter was also reported missing, but was found safe on Tuesday.

Her death is being investigated as a domestic-related homicide, and two people—a male and a female—are in custody Friday afternoon, police said.