FORT WAYNE, Ind. — A quiet stretch of Holgate Drive became the center of heartbreak and unanswered questions Wednesday night after 32‑year‑old Michael Phelpss was found dead behind an apartment building on the city’s southeast side. The loss has left his neighborhood stunned and looking for answers as police investigations continue.
Police and first responders rushed to the 6100 block of Holgate Drive at about 8:35 p.m. after someone called 911 to report a man lying unconscious behind the building. Officers arrived moments later and immediately began CPR on Phelpss, fighting to save his life while waiting for medics. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. This sequence of events was confirmed by official police release from the Fort Wayne Police Department.
The Fort Wayne Police Department says detectives and crime scene technicians have been documenting the scene and gathering evidence to determine what happened. Investigators from the FWPD Homicide Unit, Crime Scene unit, FWPD Air Support Unit, Allen County Coroner’s Office, and the Allen County Prosecutor’s Office are all involved in the ongoing probe. Authorities have not yet released any cause or manner of death.
Neighbors described hearing sirens and seeing police tape late into the night. Many in the community say Phelpss was well‑known around the neighborhood — a presence that will be missed. Friends and family have shared memories of his easy smile and warm greetings, painting a picture of someone who brightened the day of the people around him. His sudden passing has hit close to home for those who knew him.
Officials are asking anyone who might have seen something unusual or has any information about what happened to step forward. Tips can be shared by calling the Fort Wayne Police Department at 260‑427‑1222, Crime Stoppers at 260‑436‑7867, or by submitting anonymous information via the P3 Tips App.
The silence around the cause of his death has left many in Fort Wayne with heavy hearts and lingering questions. Those close to him are holding memories of shared moments — family barbecues, evenings on the porch, friendly waves in passing — and are urging anyone with insights to help bring clarity.
As the city waits for more answers, tributes have begun trickling in online and in person. Small gatherings of friends and neighbors out front of the apartment complex marked the spot where Phelpss was last alive, a reminder of how quickly life can turn and how deeply a community can feel loss.
