Commodore, PA Area Cold Cases

cold-case-record__Ruffin Sr

Name

Rodney Ruffin Sr

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Agency

Richmond

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cold-case-record__Byrd

Name

Chopan Byrd

Age

16

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On december 23, 1975, a truck driver discovered a body in a field on the east side of maryland route 75, about 200 feet north of maryland route 144, 1/2 mile east of new market. The victim, identified as chopan byrd from baltimore, md, had been shot to death. Two individuals were arrested at the time, but the cases were never tried due to lack of evidence.

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Hackey

Name

Robert Hackey

Age

41

Cause of Death

Blunt Force

Info

Robert hackey was struck by a vehicle while walking. The driver fled the scene, and the case is being investigated as manslaughter by motor vehicle.

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Harris

Name

Homer Harris

Age

55

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Homer harris was found in a parking area along gas house pike. Investigators believed he was killed by an acquaintance.

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Lentz

Name

Paul Lentz

Age

14

Cause of Death

Stabbing

Info

Paul lentz’s body was found in a drainage ditch on 6/18/1975 in frederick county, md he had died from a stab wound it is unclear how he left home or how his body reached the location

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Lloyd

Name

John Lloyd

Age

48

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

John lloyd, a constable, was shot and killed through the window of his sister’s home in frederick county, md, on 4/27/1945

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Meister

Name

Odessa Meister

Age

35

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

Odessa meister was last seen alive on 12/20/1952 her body was found on mcnamee’s hill in cumberland, md she died of blunt force trauma

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Lewis

Name

Roy Lewis

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Roy lewis’s remains were found in sabillasville, frederick county, md

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Moates

Name

Charles Moates

Age

73

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

Charles moates, a magistrate, was shot in his workshop in frederick county, md two suspects were identified, but the case never went to trial

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Wagoner

Name

Mildred Wagoner

Age

45

Cause of Death

Shooting

Info

On 12/29/1993, her husband reported her death to her father, who then contacted the police. She was found in her bed in the 2400 block of dargan school road with an apparent gunshot wound. Other family members were present in the home.

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Welch

Name

Jean Welch

Age

72

Cause of Death

Trauma

Info

Jean welch was found deceased in her home on oldtown road in cumberland. Her death was possibly sexually motivated. The case was never closed due to lack of evidence.

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Zimmerman

Name

Lorraine Zimmerman

Age

15

Cause of Death

Strangulation

Info

Lori zimmerman rode the school bus home from high school on april 6, 1984. She stopped at a friend's home for about ten minutes. Lori did not return home that evening. Friends of lori's were contacted, but denied seeing lori. Lori's mother filed a missing person report with hagerstown police department. On april 14, 1984, two people walking in a wooded area discovered her partially clothed body.

Agency

Maryland State Police

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cold-case-record__Crawford

Name

Joshua Crawford

Age

21

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Frederick County Sheriff's Office

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cold-case-record__Chatraw

Name

Josephine Chatraw

Age

36

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Josephine chatraw last spoke with her sister from her home at 206 seymour street. Her boyfriend, phillip whaley, was later charged with her murder and is currently serving a life sentence. However, josephine’s body has never been recovered.

Agency

Syracuse PD

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cold-case-record__Gamblin

Name

Shaunice Gamblin

Age

15

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Mitchell

Name

James Mitchell

Age

22

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Rivers

Name

Twynett Rivers

Age

42

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Slaughter

Name

Karon Slaughter

Age

32

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Parks

Name

Ivan Parks

Age

23

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Taylor

Name

Tyjohn Taylor

Age

17

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Burgess

Name

Damireo Burgess

Age

27

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Buffalo Police Department

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cold-case-record__Nigrin

Name

Michael Nigrin

Age

55

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 11/16/2022 at 5:02 pm, officers were called to the area for shots being heard and the caller stated he saw his neighbor laying on the ground. Mr. Michael nigrin was found in the backyard of his residence with multiple gunshot wounds. Evidence was collected from the scene and numerous statements were taken from his neighbors. Bazetta township police department is still investigating the incident and asking the public for any information they may have that could assist us.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Warner

Name

Gary Warner

Age

70

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Gary warner was last seen by his family on march 30, 2022. He was entered as a missing adult until october 20, 2023 when it was confirmed that his remains were located on mccormick run road in columbiana county on january 8, 2023 through dna testing. The case remains under investigation by the columbiana county sheriff's office assisted by the salem police department.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Williams

Name

Martell Williams

Age

29

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 02/25/2018, 22yr old martell williams was shot and killed near the playground area of the stonegate apartment complex where he lived. Evidence suggests that martell had been ambushed by several suspects who knew he would be at that location at that time. Evidence suggests that the suspects had been in another residents apartment prior to the shooting and that at least one suspect fled in a black four door nissan.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Williams

Name

William Williams

Age

26

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On august 20, 2017, william was found shot to death in a field in the 2400 block of northwest blvd nw warren, ohio. An unidentified male made two 911 calls indicating that he witnessed the shooting.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Mitchell

Name

Tyler Mitchell

Age

25

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 7/10/17 at 0530hrs, tyler mitchell was found laying on the sidewalk in the 2700 block of burton se. Mitchell was deceased from multiple gunshot wounds. No witnesses have come forward on this case.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Stewart

Name

Samantha Stewart

Age

34

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On july 30, 2016, samantha jo stewart was last seen alive by family members. On august 4, 2016, a rural property owner in columbiana county, ohio discovered the deceased nude body of samantha jo stewart. Stewart was a resident of weirton, west virginia and believed to have traveled to steubenville, ohio to purchase drugs, prior to her death. Stewart was found approximately twenty miles north of steubenville, ohio. Stewart death has been ruled a homicide caused by blunt force trauma to the head.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Dotson

Name

James Dotson

Age

42

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 04/04/2016 at 0155 hours, warren township officers were dispatched to the j&l club located at 1957 highland avenue, warren, ohio 44485 for a shooting. Upon officer's arrival, they located a male down in the parking lot with gun shot wounds. This male was identified as james earl dotson jr. By his ohio identification. Mr. Dotson was transported to a local hospital by a warren township ems crew. Officer's responded to the hospital to follow up on this investigation. Upon officer's arrival at the hospital, we were updated that mr. Dotson had succumbed to his injuries. Mr. Dotson's death was determined to be a homicide. The investigation into this case remains upon as this case is unsolved.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Pitts

Name

Cody Pitts

Age

36

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

During the early morning hours of march 7, 2015, trumbull county 9-1-1 received a call of a man lying in the road on orchard avenue near north main street in the city of hubbard. Hubbard police officers were dispatched to investigate and upon their arrival, discovered that cody pitts, 26 years of age of hubbard was deceased. An autopsy was performed and the preliminary results indicate that the cause of death was a single gunshot wound. The death has been ruled a homicide. The hubbard police, the trumbull county homicide task force, and the trumbull county coroner's office continue to investigate. Please contact detective sergeant michael banic at the hubbard city police department if you have any information related to this homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Williams

Name

Derrick Williams

Age

30

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On wednesday july 10, 2013 at approximately 3:22am, steubenville police department responded to reports of gunshots at 1124 claire avenue. On arrival and inside the incident location, law enforcement discovered derrick da' shawn williams, deceased from a gunshot wound to his head. Four other individuals were also inside the residence and uninjured. Information developed indicates unidentified person(s) fired multiple gunshots from outside and into the residence causing the death of derrick da' shawn williams

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Blackwell

Name

Cory Blackwell

Age

37

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 01/01/2013, cory blackwell was shot and killed inside the sunset lounge at 480 e. Market st. He had attended a new years eve party at the sunset and was exiting the building when he was shot by a suspect who was positioned just outside the door, on the sidewalk. Despite a large crowd being present, nobody came forward to identify a suspect. Detectives do have a suspect but need the assistance of witnesses in order to prosecute the offender.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Johnson

Name

Donyell Johnson

Age

53

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Klusch

Name

Gerald Klusch

Age

84

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

Gerald klusch was last seen on 09/29/2011 by a family member who was leaving the residence for an appointment at approximately 12:30pm. The family member advised that mr. Klusch was working with his farmhand fixing the fence as to keep their animals from getting out. The farmhand advised that mr. Klusch took him home at approximately 1:00pm and mr. Klusch was never seen again until approximately 7 weeks later when his body was found in a rural area off hazel run rd., salineville, oh. The columbiana county coroner's office determined the cause of death was a homicide as the victim was shot twice in the head. The case is still under investigation. A $20,000 reward is available for information that leads to the conviction of the individual(s) that committed this homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Griffin

Name

Gregory Griffin

Age

65

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On july 23, 2006, skeletal remains were found in a swampy area of mosquito lake state park. The skeleton was found without clothing and without skin tissue completely intact except for some of its small bones. On the left side of the head, a gold earring was found but no other identifiable items were located. These remains were later identified as gregory griffin.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Williams

Name

Michael Williams

Age

57

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 08/30/2005 shortly after 9:00 a.M., the victim michael williams was found in his automobile near his residence on greenwood road near rogers, columbiana county, ohio. Williams was employed by the v & m steel company in youngstown, ohio and he was located shortly after working a midnight shift. The coroner's office determined the cause of death as a homicide as the result of blunt force trauma.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Roberts

Name

Craig Roberts

Age

66

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On august 26, 2002, craig roberts of 502 wells hollow rd., wellsville, was found shot.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Altomare Sr

Name

Richard Altomare Sr

Age

84

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 09/19/1999 shortly after 11:00am, richard l. Altomare sr. Was found deceased inside the old crestview middle school that he owned with multiple gunshot wounds. Mr. Altomare was the owner of altomare welding inc. At 37921 west main st., leetonia, oh. The coroner's office determined the cause of death as a homicide.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__McCulley

Name

John McCulley

Age

66

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

The above listed victim went missing on 09/26/1992 when he had failed to keep several appointments. Upon r/o checking his place of employment, all souls cemetery, his vehicle was located but with no signs of the victim. On 10/17/1992, a hunter located the body of the victim in the woods behind the cemetery. Anyone with any information can contact the bazetta police department.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Bishop

Name

Raymond Bishop

Age

71

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 02/26/1990, 36yr old raymond h. Bishop was discovered by responding niles police department officers at his residence. Bishop was in a semi-conscious condition, suffering from multiple blunt force trauma head injuries and died a short time later. Bishop's 1985 black pontiac sunbird vehicle was discovered stolen and later recovered in youngstown, ohio.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Zarlenga

Name

Eileen Zarlenga

Age

66

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On the night of january 25, 1988 or morning of the 26th, 29 year old eileen zarlenga is believed to have been lured or abducted from her apartment located at 1082 patricia drive, girard, (trumbull county) ohio, leaving her 3 year old daughter alone inside. After being missing for several days, eileen's body was located in a wooded area off of gladstone road (just east of state route 45) in jackson township, ohio (mahoning county) on january 30, 1988. She perished from multiple stab wounds with some indications of sexual assault. The mahoning county sheriff's office is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction. Please contact us at 330-480-5028.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Hamrick

Name

Robert Hamrick

Age

83

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On the evening of march 10, 1970, chief hamrick became involved in a pursuit of unknown individuals. The pursuit ended on callender road in the village of rock creek when chief hamrick slid off of the icy dirt road and struck a tree, causing moderate damage to his vehicle. The events that unfolded immediately following the accident are unknown at this time. At some point, chief hamrick exited his patrol vehicle and was beaten severely on the side of his head with a tire iron. Somehow his unconscious body was placed across the seat of his marked police vehicle. He was not discovered for hours and was transported to the cleveland clinic where he died 10 days later, never regaining consciousness. The suspects are unknown at this time.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Thompson

Name

Catherine Thompson

Age

Cause of Death

Homicide

Info

On 10/02/1965, officers were dispatched to 2752 milton st. Se. The victim's mother (complainant) arrived at the victim, 55yr old catherine thompson's residence in the morning and reported discovering catherine deceased inside her bedroom. Ms. Thompson sustained multiple injuries caused by a knife. This remains an open investigation and the warren police department is seeking any information from the public that may shed light on this incident.

Agency

Ohio AG

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cold-case-record__Williams

Name

Michael Williams

Age

37

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Columbiana County Sheriff's Office

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cold-case-record__Clinkscale Sr

Name

Aaron Clinkscale Sr

Age

37

Cause of Death

Gun/Firearm

Info

Aaron j. Clinkscale, 30, of rush boulevard, died friday in st. Elizabeth health center of a gunshot wound to the head suffered thursday on the city’s south side. Anyone who has any information about this case, the identity, or location of the suspect(s) is asked to contact the youngstown police department at 330-742-8900.

Agency

Youngstown Police Department

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cold-case-record__Lyons

Name

Sean Lyons

Age

20

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pittsburgh Police Department

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cold-case-record__Young

Name

Niles Young

Age

22

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pittsburgh Police Department

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cold-case-record__Tyree

Name

Isha Tyree

Age

20

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pittsburgh Police Department

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cold-case-record__Ware

Name

Teresa Ware

Age

38

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pennsylvania State Police

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cold-case-record__Hinton

Name

Paul Hinton

Age

43

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pittsburgh Police Department

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cold-case-record__Trowell

Name

Devon Trowell

Age

21

Cause of Death

Murder

Info

Agency

Pittsburgh Police Department

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