Lisa Trigg
The Tribune-Star
TERRE HAUTE —
Investigators are trying to retrace the actions of a man shot to death early Thursday, with hopes of finding someone who can identify a suspect in the case.
“We are still interviewing acquaintances of his,” Sheriff Jon Marvel said of Albert Kiger, 59, who died on his neighbor’s doorstep. “We are trying to trace his steps Wednesday and Thursday.”
Police do know that Kiger on Wednesday afternoon was at Union Hospital, where he was treated for puncture wounds in his torso. While Kiger reportedly said the wounds were due to a farming accident with a pitchfork, Marvel said police believe he may have been stabbed with the pitchfork by someone. Just hours later, around 2 a.m. Thursday, Kiger was shot multiple times with a small-caliber handgun.
Marvel said it appears Kiger was shot six times, at least three times in the face and three times elsewhere on his body. His preliminary cause of death has been listed as loss of blood.
A person of interest in the case has been located, the sheriff said, but as of Friday afternoon police had not been able to interview that person. Arrangements are being made with the person’s attorney for an interview.
The shooting occurred at Kiger’s home on Robertson Road along the Wabash River levee west of Prairieton. Marvel said Kiger was able to stumble from his home to a neighbor's residence. The neighbor called for emergency help and the sheriff’s department responded, but Kiger died before help arrived at the scene. His residence was about eight miles southwest of Terre Haute.
Kiger was transported via Trans-Care Ambulance to Terre Haute Regional Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
Anyone with information about the case can contact Wabash Valley Crime Stoppers at (812) 238-STOP to help the police investigation.
Lisa Trigg can be reached at (812) 231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
