Officers with the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department are investigating the death of a motel manager, after his body was found behind a south side motel.
Police were called to the Travel Inn motel around 11:40 p.m. Thursday to investigate a body found in a parking lot north of Thompson Road and South East Street.
When officers arrived, they discovered Dinesh Patel, 31, suffering from apparent trauma, lying next to a trash dumpster behind the motel.
Officers said evidence collected on the scene seemed to indicate Patel died or was killed somewhere else and dumped near the motel.
They said Patel did not suffer from a gunshot or stab wounds, but there was some blood at the scene.
Staffers said Patel was not robbed, and police do not have a motive for the killing.
Motel staffers said the killer may have yanked out the surveillance camera from the side of the motel to avoid being caught.
Patel moved to Indianapolis two years ago to manage a local motel and to make money for his wife and son back in India.
His murder came just days after his family moved to America so they can be together.
"His wife just came last Sunday with their 3 year old boy. It's terrible, " said Manny Patel, the victim's uncle.
A dozen of Patel's family members traveled 7,000 miles to Indiana to find out what happened to their loved one.
"He loved everybody, if someone needed money, he would give them money. He was an extraordinary guy."
People staying at the motel tell Fox59 they are now afraid for their own safety.
"It is a neighbor too, so it kind of impacts the neighborhood right here," said witness Frank Bereitschaft.
The coronoer confirmed that Patel was beaten to death.
Anyone with information should call CrimeStoppers at 317-262-TIPS.
