Indianapolis woman killed trying to break up a sword fight

INDIANAPOLIS — A 77-year-old woman suffered a fatal stab wound while trying to break up a sword fight Thursday between her grandson and brother-in-law, police said.

An autopsy determined Franziska Stegbauer died of a wound from one of the swords, police Sgt. Matthew Mount said. Both men were hospitalized with stab wounds and one was critically hurt.

"We're unsure yet who started this fight, how the swordplay got involved," Mount said. "We're not sure who it was who stabbed the woman."

One of the weapons was a World War II-era Japanese officer's sword with a thin blade, and the other had a thicker blade, Mount said.

Police placed Stegbauer's grandson Chris Rondeau, 39, under arrest on a preliminary charge of attempted murder. Stegbauer's brother-in-law Adolf Stegbauer, 69, suffered several serious stab wounds, police said.

Franziska Stegbauer was not breathing when officers arrived early Thursday at the home on the city's northwest side and she was later pronounced dead at a hospital, police said.

Adolf Stegbauer was listed in critical condition at Wishard Hospital, a spokesman said.

Rondeau also was taken with stab wounds to Wishard. His condition was not available. He was being held in the hospital's detention unit.