Caitlin Nichole Walter, a 21-year-old female, died on May 13, 2009, in Indianapolis, Indiana. Originally from Hagerstown, she had been living in the Wayne County area for most of her life. At the time of her death, Walter was a first-year physical therapy assistant student at the University of Indianapolis, having started her classes in the fall of 2008.
She was also a student at Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
According to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police, Walter was the victim of an apparent murder-suicide. She was killed by her ex-boyfriend, Matthew Ford. Her mother, Colleen Walter, expressed shock and sadness over the incident, stating that just a week before her death, Caitlin had told her she was the happiest she had ever been.
Walter was a 2006 honor graduate of Hagerstown High School, where she was a member of the National Honor Society and participated in various sports, including tennis, volleyball, golf, softball, and swimming. She had a passion for photography and travel, having visited many parts of the United States, as well as France and Spain. Described as having a vibrant and enthusiastic personality, she was remembered fondly by her friends and instructors. Her best friend described her as hilarious, while an instructor in her physical therapy assistant program noted her enthusiasm and difficulty in not seeing her in the classroom.
