Serena Desiree Dolnics, 32, of Valparaiso, has been charged with murder after Porter County investigators allege she stabbed her father to death inside the home they shared.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Porter County Sheriff’s Police were dispatched at approximately 7:58 p.m. on July 26 to a residence in the 450 block of South 450 East for a welfare check after family members reported they had been unable to reach Gregory Dolnics. While speaking with 911, one of the callers began receiving phone calls and text messages from Serena Dolnics’ ex-boyfriend, who reported Serena was covered in blood, believed she had stabbed Gregory Dolnics, and feared she might harm herself. 

When deputies arrived, they located the ex-boyfriend outside the residence. Officers observed blood inside through the windows and later saw what appeared to be a body lying on the floor. After forcing entry into the home, officers found Gregory Dolnics deceased in the residence. A locked bedroom on the south side of the home prompted the activation of the Porter County Emergency Response Team. At approximately 9:47 p.m., ERT members took Serena Dolnics into custody inside the locked bedroom. Investigators said she was wearing a blood-covered tank top and underwear, with no pants, shoes, or socks.

Court records state Serena Dolnics had injuries to both hands that investigators believed were consistent with a knife slipping during use. After receiving medical treatment, she waived her Miranda rights and agreed to speak with detectives. She told investigators she and her father generally got along, claimed her hand injuries occurred while working in the garden with a weed trimmer or small saw, and said she did not observe him injured that day. Investigators later reported they found no garden, bloody shears, or small saw on the property. 

According to investigators, Gregory Dolnics was found with numerous sharp-force injuries to his head, face, neck, chest, hands, and arms. Blood was found throughout the living room and leading into the south portion of the residence where Serena Dolnics resided. Investigators also recovered three blood-covered knives from the home, along with three bloody barefoot impressions and a bloody hand and arm print near the body. 

Investigators said the preliminary autopsy documented multiple slash wounds to Gregory Dolnics’ head and face, multiple stab wounds to the back of his neck, multiple stab and slash wounds to his neck, chest, shoulder, arms, and hands, including injuries consistent with defensive wounds. The preliminary autopsy determined the cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries, and the manner of death was ruled homicide. 

Charge filed July 28, 2026:

Murder