Ohio family shot dead: Bodies of toddler and grandparents found after chilling 911 emergency call
Three bodies were found with fatal gunshot wounds after a chilling early morning emergency service call in which a voice could be heard whispering the word ‘help’.
The bodies of a toddler and his grandparents were found with gunshot wounds after a whispered plea for help in a terrifying call to emergency services.
Melissa E. Campbell, 51, Gale F. Sanders, 67 and little Kozzar J. Lotut, just 22 months of age were all found shot dead at an Ohio home on Wednesday.
The tragic discovery followed a 911 call from the home about 4am that same day. The call was suddenly cut short that before dispatchers could get a location, according to The Sun.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.It was only when operators called back that a dispatcher heard “a voice softly saying the word ‘help,’” the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office told reporters.
Law enforcement quickly worked to find the caller by looking at possible addresses in the area before finally reaching the tragic scene at a home in the tiny village of Gnadenhutten.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell told local station Cleveland 19 that a great-grandmother who was living in the garage area unlocked the door for deputies who arrived at the address on N. Cherry Street.
Police are working under the belief the trio may have been killed in a murder-suicide, but are yet to narrow down a motive or who pulled the trigger.
Tuscarawas County sheriff Orvis Campbell confirmed that the fatal weapon was found next to one of the victims.
“It’s definitely leaning towards a murder-suicide,” he told Cleveland 19.
“We’re pretty confident you know, that it happened within the home.”
The sheriff was unable to confirm who was heard on the emergency call asking for help or whether it was the call that sparked the violence.
Kozzar lived with medical disabilities, which both grandparents were understood to have helped care for.
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If you or someone you know is experiencing family violence, phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or the Crisis Care Helpline on 1800 199 008.
