On December 20, 2025, a tragic sequence of events unfolded in Auburn, Indiana, claiming the life of 48-year-old Monica E. Fry. A resident of nearby Garrett, she had traveled to a home in the 900 block of Ensley Avenue in Auburn to visit 74-year-old Lonnie Cox, a man with whom she was reportedly in a dating relationship. What began as a visit deteriorated into a heated argument inside the residence that Saturday.
During the dispute, the situation escalated violently, resulting in Cox shooting the female victim, who succumbed to her injuries at the scene.
The crime remained undiscovered until the following morning. On Sunday, December 21, Cox traveled to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office and turned himself in. He confessed to authorities that he had killed a woman during an altercation the previous day. Following his admission, he was detained while officers were dispatched to his Ensley Avenue home to verify his claims. Upon entering the residence, law enforcement officials discovered Fry's body on the floor, confirming she had died from apparent gunshot wounds.
Investigators subsequently launched a homicide probe involving the Auburn Police Department, the DeKalb County Sheriff's Office, and the Indiana State Police. During interviews with detectives, Cox provided details of the domestic dispute that led to the shooting. He also admitted that he had confided in a family member about the incident before that relative drove him to the authorities to surrender.
Lonnie Cox was arrested and preliminarily charged with murder in connection with Fry's death. He was held without bond at the DeKalb County Jail. Following his arrest, he made an initial appearance in DeKalb County Superior Court II, where the judiciary reviewed the preliminary charges. Legal proceedings were set to continue with a hearing scheduled for February 2026, as prosecutors from the DeKalb County Prosecutor's Office prepared to determine if additional charges would be filed.
