Relatives called police to the home on Sunday evening after becoming concerned about Gregory Dolnics' welfare, telling the dispatcher that someone had been seen covered in blood.
When officers arrived, they found the property locked and spotted a body on the ground surrounded by dried blood. Forcing entry, they identified the body as Gregory Dolnics, who had slash wounds to his head, face, neck and hands. His heart had been cut out of his body.
An autopsy later confirmed the wounds were inflicted with knives, and that incisions had been made to the ribs to remove the heart.
Arrest and hand injuries
Dolnics was found at the property covered in blood and arrested. She was taken to hospital for treatment to injuries on her hands.
She claimed the cuts came from gardening, but police said they were consistent with a knife slipping. She also told detectives she and her father "get along really well" apart from occasional "small tiff", and said she had not seen him injured.
Criminal history and court appearance
Court records show Dolnics has prior convictions for drug and drink-driving offences. She pleaded guilty to possessing methamphetamine in Jasper County in 2024, and was previously convicted of operating while intoxicated in Porter County in 2017 and 2014, and public intoxication in LaPorte County in 2016.
She appeared in court on Thursday, July 30, wearing a blue suicide-prevention smock and speaking hesitantly via video link. She pleaded not guilty and, when asked whether she had arranged an attorney, replied: "I'll figure it out."
A further hearing has been scheduled for August 11.
