Frenchburg, KY Area Cold Cases

Name

Mackenzie Branham

Age

27

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On april 27, 2006, 8 year old mackenzie branham had only recently moved to her mother's house when it caught on fire overnight while she was asleep. She died in her second floor bedroom. The fire was later determined to be an arson by the ohio fire marshal's office.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Carl Schober

Age

73

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The victim was located in a cornfield near fitchthorne road in fayette county, ohio on august 22, 1991 with a gunshot wound to the head. The victim was a transient and was last seen by friends in nashville, tn on august 16, 1991. The victim told the friends that he was going to kent, oh, and was last seen alone. The victim had last been living in a commune center on short mountain in liberty, tn.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Theodore Long

Age

63

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Theodore long was last seen in toledo, ohio in november 1981. On november 17 1981, he was located deceased in a creek on lampe road in northwest fayette county, ohio.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Kayla Eitel

Age

26

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Portsmouth Police Department

Name

Jerry Nickels

Age

33

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Kentucky State Police

Name

Charles Reppert

Age

41

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Anyone with any information on this case is encouraged to call the kentucky state police at 502-782-1800

Agency

Kentucky State Police

Name

Minnie Lutes-Johnson

Age

20

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Minnie was found strangled by an electric cord, beaten, and stabbed. Anyone with information regarding this case is encouraged to contact the winchester police department at 859-745-7400

Agency

Winchester Police Department

Name

Robert Wright

Age

23

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Agency

Kentucky State Police

Name

Zachary Avina

Age

49

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Agency

Pike County Sheriff's Office

Name

Brittany Stykes

Age

33

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 08/28/2013, 22yr old brittany stykes was found murdered in her jeep along us 68, south of gooselick road in brown county, ohio. Stykes' 14-month-old daughter was also shot in the head, but survived. There is a $50,000 reward for information leading to a conviction in the death of brittany stykes. Contact the brown county sheriff's office at (937) 378-4435 ext 126.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

David Gayhart

Age

61

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

In november of 1992, a missing person report was filed with the manchester police department (presently adams county sheriff's office). David gayhart was last seen playing cards at approximately 3:00am at a housing project in manchester, ohio. Information obtained during the initial investigation suggests a physical altercation occurred between david and an unknown person(s). Approximately 16 months later, on july 30, 1993, david's remains were recovered inside his 1984 ford thunderbird which had been located submerged in the ohio river.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Cody Garrett

Age

4

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pulaski County Sheriff's Office

Name

Linda Gibson

Age

21

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pulaski County Sheriff's Office

Name

Ward Adcock

Age

44

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On October 19, 1987, 44-year-old Ward Adcock was found shot in a bed in his home at 7821 Berkshire Boulevard in Powell. Officers were first dispatched to the scene to investigate a wreck with injury, but found no wreck when they got to the home. They were dispatched again to investigate the shooting.

Agency

KnoxCountySheriff

Name

Lee Byford

Age

37

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Knoxville Police Department

Name

Tammy Salyer

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On february 27, 1990 eighteen-year-old tammy eleene salyer left her place of employment in bristol tennessee at approximately 11:50pm driving her red 1988 chevrolet sprint. She drove six miles and entered interstate 81 northbound at the 381 interchange in bristol virginia. Approximately two tenths of a mile from her normal exit at the seven-mile marker, her vehicle left the northbound lanes, crossed the median, the southbound lanes and side-swiped a highway marker post and tree before coming to a stop against the southbound barrier fence. At 12:15am (2/28/90) bristol virginia police received a call of a possible accident at this location. Officers responded and found the vehicle stopped at the fence with the engine still running. Ms. Salyer was found seated in the drivers seat laying over on the passenger seat. Officers found that ms. Salyers had been shot one time in the head. Ms. Salyer was pronounced deceased at the local hospital.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Cody Matney

Age

25

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Matney was last seen in bristol, tennessee on april 28, 2002. He was outside confetti's sports bar in the 3200 block of west state street. The establishment is off of exit 74-b along interstate 81. Witnesses told authorities that matney made a call from the bar's pay phone, then sat inside his 1991 ford ranger truck in the parking lot, talking to an unidentified person in another truck. He has never been heard from again. Matney's truck was discovered abandoned in the bar's parking lot five days after his disappearance. His checkbook was sitting on the dash, but there was no other evidence at the scene. There has not been any activity on matney's bank account since april 2002. He is known to have made eight telephone calls on his calling card around the time of his disappearance, but most of the numbers he called have been lost. Authorities believe that matney may have departed from the bar with an acquaintance and may have been taken to buchanan county, virginia. His disappearance remains unsolved. Namus # mp155

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Harry Smith

Age

102

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

In the early sunday morning hours of october 16, 2011, one or more people entered into the home of harry smith. Smith was later found deceased in his home, and it appears the suspect(s) took several items. They also set the home on fire before they left. A $10,000 reward is available for information that leads to the conviction of the individual(s) that committed this homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Joshua Starcher

Age

45

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 11, 2011, joshua a. Starcher was found dead in his vehicle on vinegar street in pomeroy, ohio suffering a gunshot wound. Starcher was last seen at approximately 12:30 pm on 02/11/11 when he informed his girlfriend that he was going to meet someone and would be back. Starcher never returned and his body was found by a person driving along vinegar street.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Thelma Mooney

Age

103

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On sunday, february 18, 2007, family members discovered eighty-five (85) year old thelma mooney dead in her home at 1604 thomas street, ironton, ohio. Ironton police immediately began a murder investigation after it was discovered mooney had died as a result of foul play. Although police identified a suspect at that time, the charges were eventually dismissed without prejudice.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Curtis Francis

Age

52

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On december 9th, 2006, jennifer burgette and curtis francis were found murdered in their home. Both had been shot during the overnight hours. The pike county sheriff's office followed up on numerous leads and completed a thorough investigation, however, not enough information was obtained to solve this homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the pike county sheriff's office or submit a tip.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Jennifer Burgette

Age

48

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On december 9th, 2006, jennifer burgette and curtis francis were found murdered in their home. Both had been shot during the overnight hours. The pike county sheriff's office followed up on numerous leads and completed a thorough investigation, however, not enough information was obtained to solve this homicide. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the pike county sheriff's office or submit a tip.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Deshawn King

Age

18

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 01/30/2013, Investigator responded to a shooting at Linden Avenue. Victim was found in the vehicle with gunshot wounds at 310 East New Street.

Agency

Knoxville

Name

Leroy Tharp

Age

59

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

07/05/2001; Found stabbed near a storage trailer at 2209 N. Central Avenue

Agency

Knoxville

Name

Mary Osborne

Age

51

Cause of Death

Missing

Info

Mary rebecca osborne was reported missing on 05/17/2017. She was last seen on 05/14/2017. Becky had been out with a friend, her son, and her son's girlfriend for mother's day. It is reported that she became upset and demanded to be let out of the car because her son wanted her to go stay at his house. Mary was let out approximately 1 mile from where she was staying with a male subject on hale gap road. Search and rescue along with other emergency services did a search of the area with no success.

Agency

Virginia State Police

Name

Michael Cooper

Age

39

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On may 14, 2015 michael cooper was reported missing from columbus, ohio. On august 6, 2015, the remains of michael cooper were discovered in a wooded area off lewis road in madison county, ohio.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Jack Burgoon

Age

77

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 07/13/2010, jack burgoon was found unresponsive in his driveway with multiple gunshot wounds. Burgoon's red pickup was missing and later found by the side of a rural road just two miles away. There is a ten thousand dollar ($10,000) reward for information leading to an arrest in this case. You can leave an anonymous tip with crime stoppers at 614-461-tips, or 877-645-8477.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Billi Romans

Age

67

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On april 6, 2008, 51 year old billi romans and her children, ami, 16 and caleb, 12 perished in a fire at their home just after midnight. The fire started in the family's 2001 ford expedition that was parked in a carport next to the house. The state fire marshal's office ruled this incident an arson and the madison county coroner's office has ruled it a homicide. Central ohio crime stoppers is offering as much as $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. Another $5,000 is available from the blue ribbon arson committee. Tips can be submitted anonymously online at central ohio crime stoppers, www.Stopcrime.Org, by calling crime stoppers at 614-461-8477 or toll-free at 1-877-645-8477 or contacting the ohio bureau of criminal investigation at 855-bci-ohio (224-6446) or submitting a tip above.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Ami Romans

Age

33

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On april 6, 2008, 16 year old ami romans and her mother billi, 51 and brother caleb, 12 perished in a fire at their home just after midnight. The fire started in the family's 2001 ford expedition that was parked in a carport next to the house. The state fire marshal's office ruled this incident an arson and the madison county coroner's office has ruled it a homicide. Central ohio crime stoppers is offering as much as $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. Another $5,000 is available from the blue ribbon arson committee. Tips can be submitted anonymously online at central ohio crime stoppers, www.Stopcrime.Org, by calling crime stoppers at 614-461-8477 or toll-free at 1-877-645-8477 or contacting the ohio bureau of criminal investigation at 855-bci-ohio (224-6446) or submitting a tip above.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Caleb Romans

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On april 6, 2008, 12 year old caleb romans and his mother billi, 51 and sister ami, 16 perished in a fire at their home just after midnight. The fire started in the family's 2001 ford expedition that was parked in a carport next to the house. The state fire marshal's office ruled this incident an arson and the madison county coroner's office has ruled it a homicide. Central ohio crime stoppers is offering as much as $5,000 for information leading to an arrest and conviction in this case. Another $5,000 is available from the blue ribbon arson committee. Tips can be submitted anonymously online at central ohio crime stoppers, www.Stopcrime.Org, by calling crime stoppers at 614-461-8477 or toll-free at 1-877-645-8477 or contacting the ohio bureau of criminal investigation at 855-bci-ohio (224-6446) or submitting a tip above.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Daniel Troutman

Age

46

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 10/29/05, 27yr old daniel troutman was found beaten to death in a farmer's field along carter's mill road in madison county. According to police, witnesses last saw troutman in the early morning hours of october 21, 2005 as he left woo doggies bar and grill in the westpointe shopping plaza near the corner of hilliard-rome and trabue roads.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Tracy Harkness

Age

24

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Grove City Police Department

Name

Candace Rose

Age

49

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Candace rose's body was found in the bathroom of her apartment on 04/29/2004 at approximately 3:00pm by two of her friends. Mrs. Rose had been last seen alive by friends on 04/28/2004 at approximately 10:00pm in her apartment. Mrs. Rose had just recently relocated to chillicothe, oh from the mansfield, oh area. Investigators at the time of the incident had a suspect in the incident, but not enough evidence to prosecute.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Eldon Conley

Age

110

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Mr. Conley was found dead after a house fire dec. 3, 2003, at his home at 525 e. Main st. He was killed prior to the fire which was set to cover the homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Ella Grant

Age

107

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On february 18, 2001 at approximately 9:30am, mrs. Grant's body was found inside her home by friends who had arrived to pick her up for church. Mrs grant had been killed by someone sometime between the evening of february 16, 2001 and the time her body was discovered.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Timothy Sewards

Age

62

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Timothy sewards was found by a man who was walking about 10:25 a.M. On january 14, 1995 in the vacant railroad yard at the corner of rose and main streets. He was about 50 feet away from east main street and was thought to have died sometime the night before after being shot twice in the head.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Charles Sharp

Age

61

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Charles sharp had been reported missing on 06/19/1993. Mr. Sharp had been last seen by a relative at his east second street home in chillicothe, oh on 06/19/1993. Mr. Sharp's decomposed remains were discovered in a wooded area off of reub hill road in southwestern ross county on 10/31/1993. The ross county coroner's office said that mr. Sharp had been killed by at least three gunshot wounds to the head.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Ronald Pohl

Age

90

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 05/09/1992, ronald pohl and his son went turkey hunting in the western part of meigs county. After entering the woods, they separated and went to different areas to hunt. Between approximately 10:00am and 10:30am, a gunshot was heard in the woods followed by three to four more shots about fifteen minutes later. Mr. Pohl failed to come out of the woods at noon. After a short time, pohl's son and another hunter, who was not hunting that morning, searched for pohl but were unable to locate him. Authorities were contacted and a search with deputies, ohio division of wildlife officers, and fire department personnel began for pohl. After two hours, pohl's body was discovered having been shot with buckshot in the back.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Mickey Oiler

Age

67

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The body of a man was found in the vicinity of liberty lane, pomeroy, oh. The man was later identified as mickey oiler.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Mary Lodatto

Age

67

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On march 7, 1991, mary ann lodatto was shot multiple times in her jackson city (jackson county), ohio apartment. This occurred around 9 a.M., shortly before mary was to leave for work. No one else is believed to have been home at the time of the homicide, and no witnesses have come forward. Though, many agencies have investigated mary's death over the last 19 years, there is still no clear suspect(s) or motive for this crime.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Robert Mullins

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 11/01/1991, the skeletal remains of robert mullins were found by hunters, along a private farm lane off of state route 56, west of state route 159, southeast of circleville. The remains were positively identified as robert mullins on december 13, 2022. Mullins had been reported missing between november 1988 and april 1989. He was 21 years old at the time of his disappearance. Anyone with information is asked to call lt. Johnathan strawser at (740) 474-2176.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Vicki Koch

Age

69

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On thursday, august 14th, 1980, vicki l. Koch was reported missing from her residence in circleville, ohio. Vicki was last seen by friends on or about sunday, august 10th, 1980 after attending in event in ross county, ohio. On friday, august 15th, 1980, vicki's vehicle, was found parked approx. Five blocks from her residence, unoccupied. Neither the residence nor her vehicle revealed evidence of a struggle or altercation. On wed., september 17th, 1980 a nearly skeletonized body was discovered in a rural area of madison county, ohio. The remains were identified as vicki l. Koch through dental records. The cause of death was listed as "Death due to violence."

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Curtis Francis

Age

34

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Agency

Pike County Sheriff's Office

Name

Eric Harris Sr

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, eric harris sr was murdered on 12/13/2015.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Effie Williams

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, effie williams was murdered on 12/14/2015.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Jeffery Minor Jr

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, jeffery minor jr was murdered on 08/24/2015.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Larry Axel

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, larry axel was murdered on 06/16/2015.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Devon Ivery

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, devon ivery was murdered on 02/07/2015.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Randy Tillman

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, randy tillman was murdered on 01/27/2014.

Agency

Ohio AG

Name

Michael Farrar

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

According to the dayton police department, michael farrar was murdered on 08/25/2014.

Agency

Ohio AG