Tag Page OhioNews

🚨 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL DIES IN LICKING RIVER TRAGEDY DESPITE WEARING A LIFE JACKET 🚨 🚨 15-YEAR-OLD GIRL DIES IN LICKING RIVER TRAGEDY DESPITE WEARING A LIFE JACKET 🚨 A heartbreaking tragedy on the Licking River has claimed the life of 15-year-old Brenda Montgomery. Authorities say Brenda was kayaking with her foster parents when high water and dangerous currents threw the group into the river. (WSYX) ⚠️ According to rescuers: 👉 the family became trapped on a log jam 👉 Brenda was pinned underwater by the current 👉 she remained submerged for approximately seven minutes 👉 rescuers battled rushing water and debris to reach her 👉 she was wearing a life jacket at the time (WSYX) 💔 Despite rescue efforts and CPR at the scene, Brenda was later pronounced dead at Licking Memorial Hospital. (WSYX) Officials say recent heavy rains left the river running higher and faster than normal, creating dangerous conditions even for experienced paddlers. They are now urging Ohioans to check river levels before heading out and to avoid waterways during flood conditions. (WSYX) #BreakingNews #BrendaMontgomery #LickingCounty #OhioNews #WaterSafety #Kayaking #Tragedy Source: ABC 6 Columbus

Did He Run or Did Something Happen? Questions Surround Missing Lancaster Man 🚨 MAN HAD ACTIVE WARRANT BEFORE DISAPPEARANCE 🚨 LANCASTER, OHIO — Questions continue to grow surrounding the disappearance of 31-year-old Stephan Blane Smith, who has reportedly been missing since February 18, 2026. According to circulating missing person flyers, Smith was last known to be in the Lancaster area. He is described as 5’9” and approximately 145 pounds. But as the search continues, many in the community are asking difficult questions after online court records and offender registry information surfaced showing Smith had an active bench warrant and was listed as a Tier II sex offender. Public records appear to show an active probation-related warrant issued in late February 2026 connected to an aggravated menacing case. Now speculation is spreading across social media: Did Smith intentionally disappear to avoid law enforcement? Is he hiding from pending legal troubles? Or could someone have taken matters into their own hands? At this time, there is no public evidence confirming foul play, vigilante violence, or the involvement of any specific individual or organization in Smith’s disappearance. Still, the case has sparked heated debate online, with some community members demanding answers not only about Smith’s disappearance, but also about the circumstances surrounding the allegations tied to his criminal history. Law enforcement has not publicly announced whether they believe Smith is voluntarily missing, evading authorities, or in danger. Anyone with verified information regarding Stephan Smith’s whereabouts is encouraged to contact the Lancaster Police Department at 740-687-6680 ext. 2. This remains a developing story. Source: Dew Utt, public court records, offender registry records, and circulating missing person flyers. #MissingPerson #LancasterOhio #OhioNews #TrueCrimeCommunity #BringHimHome

MAN CHARGED IN BRUTAL 1989 NEWARK COLD CASE MURDER NOW TRYING TO GET CASE THROWN OUT 🚨 Newark, Ohio — A man accused in the decades-old murder of 71-year-old Helen Stuart is now reportedly asking the court to dismiss the case against him as prosecutors continue moving forward in one of Licking County’s most haunting cold cases. ⚠️ The case dates back more than 36 years. Back in April 1989: 👉 Helen Stuart was found dead inside her vehicle 👉 Her body was discovered along State Route 16 in Licking County 👉 Investigators say she had been sexually assaulted and strangled For decades, the murder remained unsolved. Now, authorities have charged 67-year-old Delbert Saunders Jr. in connection with the killing after a grand jury indicted him on multiple charges including: 👉 aggravated murder 👉 murder 👉 rape 👉 kidnapping 👉 aggravated burglary According to investigators, Saunders is already serving time in prison on unrelated convictions involving rape and kidnapping. 💔 Helen’s murder has haunted her family for nearly four decades. Her son previously described the pain of wondering what his mother endured during her final moments, saying the heartbreak never truly went away. ⚖️ But now, court filings show Saunders is attempting to have the case dismissed while prosecutors continue preparing for trial. Authorities have not publicly released all evidence tied to the indictment, but investigators say the case has never been forgotten. At one point, Helen Stuart’s case was considered Newark’s only unsolved homicide. 🚨 After 36 years of silence, investigators believe they may finally be closer to justice. #BreakingNews #ColdCase #TrueCrime #Ohio #NewarkOhio #JusticeForHelenStuart #CrimeNews #LickingCounty #ColdCaseSolved #TrendingNow #OhioNews Source: The Newark Advocate | WSYX ABC 6 | [Ohio Attorney General Cold Case Unit](https://www.ohioattorneygeneral.gov?utm_source=chatgpt.com

🚨 HUMAN REMAINS FOUND DURING EASTER EGG HUNT — EVENT TURNS INTO ACTIVE INVESTIGATION This is the kind of story that stops you in your tracks. What started as a normal Easter egg hunt quickly turned into something disturbing. 👉 Human remains — including a skull — were discovered during the event 👉 Families and children were present at the time 👉 Police were called immediately and secured the scene What should have been a day for kids… Turned into a full investigation. Authorities say: 👉 The remains are being examined by the medical examiner 👉 Identity is unknown at this time 👉 Cause of death has not been determined Right now— 👉 No answers 👉 Just a very unsettling discovery This is one of those cases that leaves people asking how something like this could go unnoticed until now. #BreakingNews #OhioNews #HumanRemains #DeathInvestigation #TrueCrime #Disturbing Source: Local 12 News (WKRC Cincinnati)

🚨 NOT AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE — OHIO MAN ASKS FOR MORE PRISON TIME… AND GETS IT Youngstown, Ohio — You really can’t make this stuff up. A judge with more than 30 years on the bench said he had never seen anything like it. But 27-year-old Kenneth Newton went ahead and made history in his courtroom. Newton was there to plead guilty to two fourth-degree felony counts of assault and one count of aggravated menacing after attacking two deputies inside the Mahoning County Jail. According to investigators— 👉 He bit both deputies while they were escorting him to an elevator So this wasn’t exactly a minor incident. As part of a plea agreement, Newton was set to receive: 👉 12 months in prison Pretty standard. But then— He did something no one expected. 👉 He asked the judge for more time 👉 Specifically, 18 months instead of 12 The judge paused… and even asked if this was some kind of April Fools joke. It wasn’t. Newton was serious. And in a move that probably left everyone in that courtroom shaking their heads— 👉 The judge granted the request Newton reportedly said he wanted the extra time so he could take advantage of vocational and counseling programs while in prison. So instead of trying to get out sooner… He asked to stay longer. And got his wish. Now here’s where it gets even more interesting— Newton had already been sentenced earlier this year in a separate case to: 👉 2 to 3 years in prison for felonious assault And this new sentence? 👉 Will run consecutively Meaning he just added even more time to what he was already facing. So while most people are trying to shave time off a sentence… This guy walked in and said, “Actually… I’ll take a little extra.” And the court said—okay. Only in Ohio… and apparently, only on April Fools. #OhioNews #BreakingNews #TrueCrime #CourtUpdate #MahoningCounty #OnlyInOhio #YouCantMakeThisUp Source: WBOY | WKBN | Court records

🚨 WOMAN FOUND DEAD IN OHIO JAIL CELL — INVESTIGATION UNDERWAY Authorities in Ohio are investigating after a woman was found unresponsive inside a cell at the Portage County Jail Sunday evening. According to a news release from the Portage County Sheriff’s Office, Pauline Ferrell, 42, was discovered around 8:30 p.m. during a routine security check inside the jail. Officials said jail staff immediately began basic and advanced life-saving measures and contacted medical personnel. Despite those efforts, Ferrell was later pronounced dead. Major Bryan Morgenstern of the Portage County Sheriff’s Office said the circumstances surrounding the incident remain under investigation, and officials have not released additional details about the cause of death. Authorities also have not said how long Ferrell had been in custody or what charges she may have been facing at the time. The investigation is ongoing, and officials say more information may be released as it becomes available. Source: Ohio Statewide / Portage County Sheriff’s Office #OhioNews #BreakingNews #PortageCounty #JailDeath #TrueCrime #Investigation

A local squirrel has been identified as the unlikely culprit behind a massive internet and phone outage in Medina County, Ohio. While officials initially suspected construction crews had severed underground lines, the reality was far more organic. Technicians discovered that a squirrel had built a nest inside the county’s fiber infrastructure. The animal chewed through critical lines, effectively knocking out essential services for several government facilities, including the prosecutor’s office. Officials are now working to reinforce the network against future wildlife interference to prevent similar disruptions. The incident highlights the surprising vulnerability of critical infrastructure to the smallest environmental factors. #OhioNews #Infrastructure #Squirrels

PROTECTION ORDER DROPPED IN CASE OF OHIO MAN ACCUSED OF KILLING WIFE A temporary protection order filed against an Ohio man accused of murdering his wife has been withdrawn by the victim’s family, according to court records. The order had been filed following the death of the woman, but recent filings show the family has now requested to dismiss the protection order. Authorities have not publicly explained the reason for the withdrawal. The suspect still faces charges in connection with his wife’s death, and the criminal case remains ongoing as investigators and prosecutors continue moving forward. Source: WHIO News #OhioCrime #BreakingNews #TrueCrime #JusticeForVictims #OhioNews

🚨 LATE-NIGHT SHOOTING UNDER INVESTIGATION IN HEBRON, OHIO Police are investigating after a person was found suffering from a gunshot wound late Friday night in Hebron. Officers with the Hebron Police Department responded around 11:21 p.m. on March 6 to the 100 block of Wooster Street for reports of an unknown emergency. When they arrived, they located a victim with a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to a Columbus hospital for treatment. Their condition has not been released. Detectives with the Licking County Sheriff’s Office are assisting Hebron Police in the investigation. Authorities say there is currently no known threat to the public, but the case remains active. Anyone with information is urged to contact Hebron Police Department or the Licking County Sheriff’s Office. Source: Hebron Police Department; Licking County Sheriff’s Office #HebronOhio #LickingCounty #OhioNews #BreakingNews #ShootingInvestigation #OhioCrime #PoliceInvestigation #DevelopingStory

🚨 BREAKING NEWS: AMISH MOTHER FOUND NOT GUILTY BY REASON OF INSANITY IN 4-YEAR-OLD’S DROWNING A Tuscarawas County judge has ruled that 40-year-old Ruth Miller is not guilty by reason of insanity in the drowning death of her 4-year-old son at Atwood Lake. The decision came Tuesday following a bench trial before Judge Michael Ernest, who reviewed findings from three separate mental health evaluations before issuing the verdict. Miller had faced charges including aggravated murder and child endangering. Prosecutors said that in August, witnesses saw her drive a golf cart into Atwood Lake with her three teenage children. The teens were able to escape the water. Authorities said Miller later told responders she had thrown her 4-year-old son into the lake to “give him to God.” Dive teams later recovered the bodies of the child and Miller’s husband, whom she reportedly said had gone for a late-night swim. Investigators previously described the couple as experiencing what they called “spiritual delusion,” believing the lake posed no danger and that they could walk on water. All three court-ordered experts concluded Miller was suffering from severe mental illness at the time of the incident. Now that she has been found not guilty by reason of insanity, a separate hearing will determine what treatment she will receive and where she will be placed. (Source: WJW Fox 8) #RuthMiller #OhioNews #TuscarawasCounty #AtwoodLake #CourtVerdict #BreakingNews #TrueCrime