Authorities are investigating the deaths of a 22-month-old child and his two grandparents as a suspected murder-suicide in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Deputies were led to the home after dispatchers traced a 911 call during which someone softly said, “help.” The three victims were found with apparent gunshot wounds, while autopsies remain pending. The sheriff said the available evidence indicates the deaths occurred inside the residence.
| 1) | Victims identified after discovery in Gnadenhutten home |
|---|---|
| 2) | Sheriff describes evidence supporting suspected murder-suicide |
| 3) | Whispered 911 call guided deputies to the residence |
| 4) | Autopsies and official determinations remain pending |
| 5) | Investigators continue reviewing the circumstances |
Victims identified after discovery in Gnadenhutten home
Kozzar Lotut, 22 months old, was found dead alongside grandparents Melissa Campbell, 51, and Gale Sanders, 67. The three were discovered Wednesday inside a home on North Cherry Street in Gnadenhutten, a small community in Tuscarawas County. Investigators said each had apparent gunshot wounds.
The child was described as having medical disabilities, and officials said the grandparents cared for him. Melissa Campbell was reported to have worked as a registered nurse at a health care center in New Philadelphia, Ohio, before her death. Authorities have not publicly described the family circumstances beyond the information released during the investigation.
Sheriff describes evidence supporting suspected murder-suicide
Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis L. Campbell said investigators are treating the case as a suspected murder-suicide. His assessment was based on evidence collected at the home and the apparent location of the deaths. No final manner of death has been issued, and the investigation remains active.
“Right now, if I had to say the evidence was leaning one way, it’s definitely leaning towards a murder-suicide. We’re pretty confident, you know, that it happened within the home.”
The sheriff’s statement describes the current direction of the investigation rather than a final ruling. Officials must still complete forensic examinations and establish the sequence of events.
Whispered 911 call guided deputies to the residence
The investigation began after an unidentified caller contacted 911 and then disconnected. Dispatchers attempted to call the number back several times. During one callback, a person answered and softly said the word “help,” giving emergency personnel a potentially important clue but not providing a clear location.
Investigators used follow-up efforts to trace the call to a home on Cherry Street. A great-grandmother opened the door for responding investigators, allowing deputies to enter and locate the three victims. The difficulty in tracing the original call delayed the initial identification of the residence.
Autopsies and official determinations remain pending
The bodies were transported to the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office for autopsies. The coroner’s office said both the cause and manner of death remained pending. Those examinations are expected to help confirm the injuries, establish the causes of death, and provide additional information for investigators.
Authorities have not announced a completed forensic timeline or publicly identified a confirmed shooter. Further information is expected to be released when officials determine that disclosure is appropriate.
Investigators continue reviewing the circumstances
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office is continuing to examine evidence from the home, the 911 communications, and information related to the victims. Investigators are also expected to consider witness accounts and forensic findings as they work to reconstruct what happened.
The deaths have raised questions because they involved a young child and two older caregivers, but officials have not provided a confirmed motive. The case remains classified as a suspected murder-suicide until the coroner’s findings and the broader investigation are complete.
| Number | Key Point |
|---|---|
| 1 | Three people were found dead in a Gnadenhutten home. |
| 2 | The victims were a toddler and his two grandparents. |
| 3 | A whispered plea for help was heard during a 911 callback. |
| 4 | Autopsies and the official manner of death are pending. |
Summary
Investigators in Gnadenhutten are examining the deaths of Kozzar Lotut, Melissa Campbell, and Gale Sanders as a suspected murder-suicide. A difficult-to-trace 911 call led deputies to the home, while autopsies and further evidence review will determine the final causes and manner of death.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the victims?
The victims were 22-month-old Kozzar Lotut and his grandparents, Melissa Campbell, 51, and Gale Sanders, 67.
Where were they found?
They were found inside a home on North Cherry Street in Gnadenhutten, Ohio.
Why are investigators considering murder-suicide?
The sheriff said the evidence currently leans toward that explanation and indicated the deaths appeared to have occurred inside the home. The conclusion is not final.
What is still pending?
Autopsies and the official cause and manner of death remain pending with the county coroner’s office.
