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IMPD: Elderly man killed in January had 'big heart'

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INDIANAPOLIS -- A 75-year-old man found dead in his south side house may have been too trusting to people he was trying to help, a police detective on the case said Thursday.

Ronald Ralston, 75, was found dead in his house in the 1800 block of Inisheer Court on Jan. 26. He died from blunt traumatic injuries, according to the county coroner's office.

On Thursday, a detective with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department answered questions about the case and asked for the public's help in solving it. Officers were called to the house on a report of a home robbery after Ralston's housekeeper arrived and found the house in disarray. 

"[Ralston] seemed like a person, from what I understand, that would help people," IMPD Det. Charles Benner said. He was an avid collector of coins and stamps. 

Ralston would help people finance cars in the area, Benner said. 

"He had a big heart when it came to helping individuals like that," Benner said. "In the long run, maybe he trusted too many people, let them close to him, and that might've led to this incident."

The victim had no criminal history at all, Benner said. But the detective wanted to reassure people in the neighborhood, known as Glenns Valley, that it doesn't appear to be a random crime. 

"There are persons probably known to the victim that were involved," Benner said. "I'm sure there are other people in our city or in our community who have knowledge of the crime also."

Police are specifically looking for information on any vehicles that may have been at Ralston's address during the month of January. 

If you have any information regarding this incident, please contact Crime Stoppers at 317-262-8477. You can also text “INDYCS” plus your tip to 274637. Your tip can be reported anonymously.

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