India Stewart, a 29-year-old woman of African American ethnicity, was tragically found dead on January 14, 2017, in an abandoned garage in Braddock, Pennsylvania. She had been shot in the head. The investigation revealed that India Stewart had confided in a witness about a "crazy ex-boyfriend" from Rankin, who was married and had a gray Jeep. This ex-boyfriend, identified as Kalvin Stewart, was later charged with her murder.
Kalvin Stewart, who was 50 years old at the time, was accused
of shooting India Stewart and then attempting to cover up the crime by setting fire to his Jeep Compass. Surveillance footage showed Stewart's Jeep near the scene of the crime around the time India Stewart was supposed to start her shift at Taco Bell. Kalvin Stewart was charged with third-degree murder, evidence tampering, abuse of a corpse, and a firearms violation.
In March 2019, Kalvin Stewart pleaded guilty to the murder of his niece and was sentenced to 15 to 38 years in prison. The court found that Stewart had a history of violence towards India Stewart, including an assault charge from October 2016, which was later dropped. The tragic case highlighted the dangers of domestic violence and the importance of protection orders and support for victims.
India Stewart's death was a devastating loss for her family and community, and the legal proceedings brought some measure of justice for her and her loved ones.
