A 71-year-old man was found wrapped in blankets before the suspect was stopped in the victim’s missing car, police say.

GARY, Ind. — A 19-year-old man is charged with murder and auto theft after a 71-year-old Gary man was found dead, bound and wrapped in blankets inside his Rhode Island Street home, police and court records say.

The case began as a welfare check and quickly became a homicide investigation that moved across county lines. Friends of Darryl Miller had not seen or heard from him for several days, went to his home in the 2200 block of Rhode Island Street and saw what appeared to be a body inside. Officers later identified the dead man as Miller and said his Honda Accord was missing. By the end of the same day, police had arrested Cameion Askia Brown, 19, of Michigan City, after a pursuit in Porter County.

Gary police were called to the home at about 4:01 p.m. April 12 after people from Miller’s church went there to check on him. Officers entered and found Miller in a bedroom, on the floor, wrapped in blankets and sheets. His feet were bound with duct tape, and court records described the body as being in a state of decomposition. Investigators also reported that the bedroom appeared disturbed, with a mattress flipped over. Police said the scene suggested a struggle before Miller died. Brown later told detectives he had been staying with Miller and referred to him as “Pops,” according to court records. He also said the two had attended church together days earlier.

The missing car gave investigators their next lead. Officers determined that Miller’s Honda Accord was gone from the residence, and police later found the vehicle in Porter County. Authorities said Brown was driving it when a Westville police officer tried to stop him. Brown fled, and the chase continued onto Interstate 94 near the 26-mile marker. A Town of Porter police officer used a PIT maneuver to end the pursuit, and Brown was taken into custody at the scene. During questioning, Brown said he ran from police because “I am done like fried chicken,” according to court records. Police said Brown also told investigators that he knew he was driving a stolen car.

Witnesses gave detectives a timeline that placed Brown with Miller before the body was found. One witness told police that Miller often allowed people without housing to stay with him and identified Brown as someone who had been at the home. Other witnesses said they last saw Miller with Brown several days earlier, including at church. After Miller stopped responding, witnesses grew suspicious of messages they said came from Brown claiming Miller was “sick” and “quiet for a while.” Another witness reported seeing someone who matched Brown’s description leaving the area around the time investigators believe Miller was killed. Police have not said whether any other person is suspected in the killing.

In an interview with detectives, Brown claimed the violence began after Miller “started to touch him inappropriately,” according to the affidavit. Investigators said Brown described knocking Miller to the floor, then punching and kicking him. When Miller tried to speak during the beating, Brown allegedly responded, “Really.” Brown first told police Miller was still breathing when he wrapped him in blankets and bound him, then later changed his account and said Miller was already dead. Authorities said Brown ultimately admitted causing Miller’s death. The charging documents do not show that Miller had any chance to give his own account of the encounter.

An autopsy by the Lake County Coroner’s Office found that Miller died from multiple blunt force injuries to the head and torso. Investigators said Miller also had injuries they described as defensive wounds, along with a broken jaw, fractured ribs, a punctured lung and dislocated fingers. The coroner’s office ruled the manner of death a homicide. Police also noted that Brown was wearing shoes consistent with impressions believed to have been left at the scene. The full autopsy report and any final lab results have not been publicly detailed, and authorities said the investigation remains active.

The Lake County Prosecutor’s Homicide Task Force joined Gary police in the investigation. Detective James Nielsen secured formal charges against Brown on April 14. Brown faces one count of murder and one count of auto theft. Under Indiana law, a murder conviction can carry a prison term of up to 65 years. Court records also show Brown had multiple pending criminal cases at the time of his arrest, including cases involving battery against a public safety official, theft and resisting law enforcement. Those pending cases are separate from the charges filed in Miller’s death.

Several agencies assisted after the case moved from Gary to Porter County. Police identified the Indiana State Police, Indiana State Excise Police, East Chicago Police Department, Gary Police Department, Lake County Coroner’s Office, Lake County CSI Division and Town of Porter Police Department as among the agencies involved. Officials said the killing appeared to be isolated and that there was no ongoing threat to the public. The finding did little to soften the shock for people who knew Miller through church and went to his home after days of silence.

Brown remained jailed as the Lake County case entered its first stage. The next public filings are expected to show whether he has counsel, how he responds to the charges and which evidence prosecutors must turn over before trial.

Author note: Last updated May 7, 2026.