Ohio has been the backdrop for some of the most notorious and chilling murder cases in American criminal history. From serial killers to shocking crimes that captivated the nation, the Buckeye State has seen its share of darkness. Here are some of the most famous murder cases that have left an indelible mark on Ohio's history.
The Sam Sheppard Case (1954)
Perhaps one of the most famous murder cases in American history, the Sam Sheppard case inspired the television series and film "The Fugitive." Dr. Sam Sheppard, a prominent osteopathic physician in Bay Village, Ohio, was convicted of murdering his pregnant wife, Marilyn Sheppard, in their lakeside home on July 4, 1954.
Sheppard claimed that he had been sleeping on the couch when he heard his wife cry out. He rushed upstairs to find a "bushy-haired intruder" attacking her. According to his account, he fought with the intruder but was knocked unconscious. When he awoke, his wife was dead, bludgeoned to death in their bedroom.
The case became a media sensation, with extensive pretrial publicity that many believe compromised the fairness of the trial. Sheppard was convicted of second-degree murder in 1954 and served nearly a decade in prison before the U.S. Supreme Court overturned his conviction in 1966, citing the prejudicial pretrial publicity. He was acquitted in a retrial but never fully recovered from the ordeal. The case remains controversial, with debates continuing about his guilt or innocence.
Jeffrey Dahmer's Early Crimes (1978)
Before Jeffrey Dahmer became known as the "Milwaukee Cannibal," his first murder took place in Bath Township, Ohio, in 1978. Just three weeks after graduating from high school, the 18-year-old Dahmer picked up hitchhiker Steven Hicks and brought him to his parents' home. After spending time together drinking and talking, Dahmer killed Hicks when he tried to leave.
Dahmer dismembered the body and buried the remains on the property. He later pulverized the bones with a sledgehammer and scattered them in the woods. This murder went unsolved for years, and Dahmer would go on to kill 16 more young men before his arrest in Milwaukee in 1991. The Ohio connection represents the beginning of one of America's most disturbing serial killer cases.
The Beverly Jarosz Murder (1964)
The murder of 16-year-old Beverly Jarosz in Garfield Heights remains one of Ohio's most haunting unsolved cases. On December 28, 1964, Beverly was found brutally stabbed to death in her bedroom. She had been stabbed 40 times, and despite a massive investigation and numerous suspects over the decades, her killer has never been identified.
The case has frustrated investigators for nearly 60 years. Beverly's murder occurred in broad daylight while her mother was downstairs doing laundry, making it even more perplexing. DNA evidence collected from the scene has been tested and retested with modern technology, but no matches have been found. The case remains open, and law enforcement continues to hope for a break that will finally bring justice for Beverly.
The Anthony Sowell Case (2009)
One of Cleveland's most horrific cases came to light in 2009 when police discovered 11 bodies in the home of Anthony Sowell, who became known as the "Cleveland Strangler." Sowell preyed on vulnerable women, many struggling with addiction, in the impoverished Mount Pleasant neighborhood.
The gruesome discovery began when police arrived at Sowell's house with a warrant for his arrest on a rape charge. The smell in the neighborhood had been so bad that residents thought it was coming from a nearby sausage factory. Instead, investigators found decomposing bodies throughout the house and buried in the yard.
Sowell was convicted in 2011 on multiple counts of aggravated murder, rape, and kidnapping. He was sentenced to death and died in prison in 2021 while awaiting execution. The case raised serious questions about how so many women could disappear without adequate police response and highlighted systemic issues in how missing persons cases involving marginalized individuals are handled.
The Marilyn Sheppard Reeb Murder (1985)
In a tragic twist of fate, Sam Sheppard's son, Sam Reeb Sheppard (who had taken his adoptive parents' last name), also became connected to another Ohio murder case. However, another significant Ohio case from 1985 was the murder of Marilyn Reeb in Hamilton County, which remained unsolved for years before advances in DNA technology helped identify suspects.
The Robert Buell Case (1982)
Robert Buell was executed in 2002 for the kidnapping and murder of 11-year-old Krista Harrison in Marshallville, Ohio, in 1982. Buell abducted Krista while she was walking home from band practice. Her body was found several days later in a field.
The case went cold for years until advances in forensic science allowed investigators to link Buell to the crime through physical evidence. He was also suspected in the disappearance of another young girl, Tina Harmon, in 1981, though he was never charged in that case. Buell maintained his innocence until his execution.
The Ariel Castro Kidnappings (2002-2013)
While technically kidnapping cases, the Ariel Castro case shocked the world when three young women—Michelle Knight, Amanda Berry, and Gina DeJesus—were found alive in Cleveland in 2013 after being held captive for approximately a decade. The women had been repeatedly raped, and one had given birth to a child during captivity.
Castro, a former school bus driver, kept the women chained in his Seymour Avenue home, subjecting them to unimaginable abuse. Amanda Berry's dramatic escape in May 2013, with the help of neighbor Charles Ramsey, led to the rescue of all three women and brought Castro's horrific crimes to light.
Castro pleaded guilty to 937 counts including kidnapping, rape, and aggravated murder (for forcing Michelle Knight to miscarry). He was sentenced to life in prison plus 1,000 years without the possibility of parole. One month into his sentence, Castro hanged himself in his prison cell.
The Amy Mihaljevic Case (1989)
Ten-year-old Amy Mihaljevic was abducted from a shopping plaza in Bay Village, Ohio, on October 27, 1989. Her body was found four months later in a field in rural Ashland County. Despite being one of the most investigated cases in Ohio history, Amy's murder remains unsolved.
The case is particularly haunting because investigators believe Amy was lured by someone who called her, pretending to be a friend of her mother and asking her to meet to buy a gift for her mother's promotion. This suggests the killer had personal knowledge of Amy's family. The FBI has been involved in the investigation, and there have been several persons of interest over the years, but no one has been charged.
The Phyllis Cottle Case (1968)
Seventeen-year-old Phyllis Cottle was murdered in 1968 in Steubenville, Ohio, a case that remained unsolved for decades. Phyllis was found strangled in her apartment, and the case went cold despite extensive investigation. In 2018, nearly 50 years after the murder, Robert Shelton Hill was arrested and charged with her murder based on DNA evidence. The case represents one of the oldest cold cases solved through genetic genealogy.
Conclusion
These cases represent just a fraction of Ohio's dark criminal history. From unsolved mysteries that continue to haunt communities to cases that changed criminal justice procedures nationwide, Ohio's murder cases have left lasting impacts on law enforcement, forensic science, and the families forever affected by these tragedies.
Many of these cases led to important developments in criminal investigation techniques, including the use of DNA evidence, forensic psychology, and media relations during criminal trials. They serve as sobering reminders of both human evil and the ongoing quest for justice.
While some cases have been solved, bringing closure to families and communities, others remain open, with investigators still hoping that new technologies or witnesses will finally provide the answers that have eluded them for decades. The legacy of these cases continues to shape how Ohio and the nation approach criminal investigation and victim advocacy.