EVANSVILLE — After initially stating the Aug. 27 death of a prominent Evansville woman in her East Side home was “suspicious,” Evansville police officials said Tuesday morning it was being investigated as a homicide and that a “person of interest” was in custody.
The Vanderburgh County Coroner’s Office identified the woman as 74-year-old Susan Haynie, a longtime real estate agent and close friend of well-known realtor Carol McLintock and her husband, former Evansville Mayor Lloyd Winnecke.
The one-paragraph release states that Haynie was found dead inside her home in the 3300 block of East Gum Street Aug. 27 and that the results of an autopsy were pending.
Shortly after the coroner’s office published its release, the Evansville Police Department issued its own public statement classifying Haynie’s death as a “homicide.”
“A person of interest has been identified and arrested on unrelated charges,” EPD spokesman Sgt. Anthony Aussieker wrote. “This investigation is ongoing at this time.”
Aussieker did not name the person of interest.
In the wake of Haynie’s death, the EPD placed notices on the front doors of neighbors’ homes stating investigators were seeking “information” about a “suspicious death” that had occurred around 5 p.m. Aug. 27 in the 3300 block of East Gum Street.
“We are looking for information about the crime including any suspicious activity or people in that area around that date and time,” the notice stated, according to a copy reviewed by the Courier & Press. “We want to solve this crime as soon as possible to prevent further crimes in your neighborhood.”
Aussieker confirmed the notices were part of the investigation into Haynie’s death.
“Anyone who may have information related to this case is encouraged to contact the EPD Adult Investigations Unit at 812-436-7979,” Aussieker said.
Haynie’s funeral is scheduled to be held at Holy Rosary Catholic Church on Thursday morning, according to her obituary.
“Susan will be remembered not only as a dedicated real estate professional but also as a cherished friend whose generosity and spirit touched everyone who knew her,” her obituary states. “Susan had a special gift and commitment to turn every opportunity to entertain into an unforgettable experience. Time and again, she stepped in to make her friends’ lives much more joyful.”
This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Susan Haynie’s Evansville death being investigated as a ‘homicide’