by WHITESTOWN, Indiana — A homeowner has been charged with voluntary manslaughter after allegedly shooting a mother of four who mistakenly arrived at his house for a scheduled cleaning job, according to local authorities.
Charges Filed After Deadly Wrong-Address Shooting
Boone County Prosecutor Kent Eastwood announced that 62-year-old Curt Andersen is facing one count of voluntary manslaughter for the fatal shooting of 32-year-old Maria Florinda Ríos Pérez. Eastwood said the charge followed a detailed review of evidence and legal standards.
“Once we looked at the law and the case law, it became clear what the appropriate way to proceed with this case was,” Eastwood told reporters.
Investigators determined that Andersen’s actions did not fall under Indiana’s “Stand Your Ground” protections.
Victim Arrived at Wrong Home for Cleaning Job
Pérez and her husband, who run a housekeeping business, arrived in a Whitestown neighborhood on the morning of Nov. 5 to clean what they believed was a model home.
They had received keys and directions from their employer and even checked the address twice using a navigation app.
But as Pérez attempted to use the provided keys at the front door, a single shot fired from inside the home struck her in the head, authorities said.
Whitestown Police Captain John Jurkash confirmed the front door never opened at any point during the encounter.
When officers arrived on a call of a robbery in progress, they found Pérez’s husband, Mauricio Velásquez, kneeling beside her in a pool of blood.
Pérez was pronounced dead at the scene, and an autopsy later confirmed she died from one gunshot wound to the head.
What Andersen Told Investigators
According to court documents, Andersen said he’d been asleep and had only rested a few hours. He awoke after hearing noises at the door and believed someone was attempting to break in. The sound of keys or a tool in the lock alarmed him, prompting him to retreat toward the top of the stairs.
He then moved to what he called his “safe room,” retrieved a handgun, and loaded it. Documents say he warned his wife to remain in the room before moving back toward the stairs.
Andersen allegedly fired a single round through the closed door after believing the attempt to enter had become “more and more aggressive.”
After the shot, he told his wife to call 911 and reported that someone was trying to break in.
Court filings also state that Andersen and his wife did not exit the home immediately when instructed to by responding officers.
Husband’s Account Paints Different Picture
Velásquez told investigators his wife had been at the door for 30 seconds to a minute, trying different keys, when the gunshot rang out. It was his first day working with her.
“What I need now is justice because he took her life,” Velásquez told local outlet WRTV. “Now I am father and mother for my children.”
Pérez leaves behind four children, ranging in age from 11 months to 17 years.
Defense Cites Indiana’s “Castle Doctrine”
Andersen’s attorney, Guy Relford, released a statement calling the shooting a “terrible tragedy” but insisted the homeowner acted within Indiana’s self-defense laws.
Relford referenced the state’s castle doctrine, which allows homeowners to use force — including deadly force — if they reasonably believe someone is unlawfully entering their residence.
Relford said he intends to prove Andersen’s actions were legally justified once the case goes to court.
What Comes Next
Eastwood confirmed Andersen is currently being held without bond as he awaits a court hearing. The case is expected to draw significant attention because it involves a wrong-address mix-up, questions about homeowner self-defense rights, and concerns raised by the victim’s grieving family.
As the investigation moves forward, authorities continue reviewing 911 recordings, forensic evidence, and witness accounts to determine whether additional charges or legal actions may follow.
Want deeper discussions on major stories shaping local communities? Share your thoughts and join the conversation at mikeandjonpodcast.com.
