High school secretary killed in suspected murder-suicide in Portage

PORTAGE, Ind. – Two people were killed and a third person was seriously injured in a domestic incident at a northwest Indiana home, authorities said.

Authorities were called to a residence in the 6300 block of Monument Avenue and reported hearing gunshots as they approached just after 7:30 p.m. Friday. The caller reportedly said her father was drunk and throwing things into the house, and then her father was armed with a gun.

Investigators said that before the sound of gunfire, the emergency dispatcher heard the man say that everyone would die.

According to police, officers forced entry into the home and found 45-year-old Charles Manville dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. A second victim, 46-year-old Brandy Manville, was found dead after being shot several times. A third victim, a 21-year-old woman, was found alive despite being shot and taken to an area hospital for treatment. A Lutheran Air Medical helicopter then transported her to a trauma center, where she is currently stable. However, authorities said her injuries were serious and even life-threatening.

Police said no one else was found in the home and no officers fired their weapons. Investigators believe this incident only involved the three people found in the home and that there is no threat to the community.

On Saturday afternoon, Portage Township Schools said Brandy Manville was the high school secretary. Staff said Brandy was someone who gave his all for his students and everyone who knew and loved them.

“I have 2,200 children. Almost all of them know who Mrs. Manville is, so, as you may understand, this will be everything that the children need so much. Because we preach education, it will be secondary this week,” Portage High School Principal Michael Stills told WGN News.

The school district shared the following message with Portage High School families, staff and students:

“Good afternoon, Portage High School families. Today we mourn the unexpected passing of our beloved PHS Secretary, Ms. Brandy Manville. Ms. Manville always offered a welcoming smile to all visitors to the main office and offered a listening ear and words of encouragement to many of our students each day. She will be greatly missed by our students and staff.

Children can express their grief in different ways. The best way families can respond to a grieving child is to listen to them and reassure them that their feelings are valid. We will have counseling services available at the high school to support our students and staff as they process this loss. Our school leaders will provide instructions on how to access these services on Monday morning.

Please consider the students and staff of PHS, as well as Ms. Manville’s family and friends. Thank you very much.”

Here is an additional statement from the district:

“Our school community is deeply saddened and affected by this tragedy as Ms. Manville touched the lives of so many of our students and staff. Our thoughts are with her family and everyone who mourns this loss.”

Melissa Deavers, director of communications and community engagement for Portage Township Schools

A GoFundMe has also been set up to help Brandy’s family. If you would like to donate, click here.

“I want Brandy to be remembered the way she wants to be remembered. She is a great mother, a fearless mother. I really believe that she was brave for her children in that house and did what she could. said Brandy’s friend Olivia Chelich.

If you or someone you know is living in a dangerous situation, please call the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233.