Tragedy struck Indianapolis when Chanti Bresha Dixon, a 30-year-old mother described by her family as “the life of the party,” was found dead after using Uber for a late-night ride.
Dixon, a devoted mother who also worked as a dancer, disappeared after calling for a ride around 3:30 a.m. on September 9, 2024.
Her family reported her missing later that morning, and their search led to the devastating discovery of her body in a wooded area near her home.
Indianapolis police arrested Uber driver Francisco Valadez, 29, who has since confessed to raping and killing Dixon. According to police reports, Valadez admitted to fatally shooting Dixon after an attempted sexual assault.
Detectives revealed that Dixon had ordered an Uber, made one stop, and then returned home before the incident occurred. Police were able to track down Valadez after matching his vehicle and license plate with Uber’s data.
In his initial statement, Valadez attempted to mislead detectives, claiming that a third-party assailant attacked Dixon. However, after further questioning, he confessed to the brutal crime.
According to an affidavit, Valadez admitted to attempting to have sex with Dixon’s body after fatally shooting her.
Dixon’s mother, Rise Dixon, expressed profound grief and issued a warning for others:
“For people out there…you can’t do that. We care, and my daughter’s life mattered.” She also urged rideshare users to take extra safety precautions, encouraging FaceTime calls and self-defense measures.
The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department (IMPD) has urged anyone who may have had interactions with Valadez to come forward.
“Women, girls, mothers…they have a right to exist freely in our community without fear of something heinous happening to them,” IMPD Assistant Chief Catherine Cummings said, underscoring the need for vigilance and community support.
