Evansville Woman Murdered, Nephew Accused, Neighborhood on Edge

It appears there are more questions than answers in this early part of the investigation. But what we do know is that a woman is dead and her nephew is in jail; accused of her murder.

"We know that he was there," says Jason Cullum with Evansville Police. "We know he was there as a guest. The victim was his aunt and we know, when he left, she was severely injured and, at some point, she passed away."

But it's what happened between the time David Royalty arrived and the time he left that police are hoping to piece together.

According to Cullum, "He has been in trouble locally. He was a participant in the community corrections program with the sheriff's office and he had signed out for work release early in the morning on the 21st." He continued, "There are a number of people who participate in that. It's impossible to monitor somebody the entire time."

"Until he was brought up in this investigation he wasn't actually listed as AWOL."

Arresting documents show investigators found a blood-covered bill fold in the apartment. It appears money was taken out.

The community corrections program Royalty was in only accepts inmates who meet certain criteria.

"They're traditionally non-violent offenses," says Cullum. Adding, "They basically stay there at night and then they go to work and then they come back in."

Rachel Hibbs lives nearby. She's 7 months pregnant and excited to welcome her baby in to the world. But the murder has this mother-to-be re-thinking things.

"[Right] across the street from my house and my sons going to be here in two months and all I can think of is, 'oh my gosh, I've got to get away from here. That is crazy." Hibbs continues, "It makes me want to move as far away as possible."

Hibbs tells me crime is a big problem in this area. From drugs to fights, she says she's had enough.

"It's just that knowing anything can happen at any moment. It's not a good feeling."

Hibbs added, after being asked if she would be doing anything differently following this murder, "Praying. I pray every night but..... it's just too close to home."

An autopsy is scheduled for tomorrow to determine just how smith died.

This is Evansville's first murder investigation of 2013.