The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation's Cold Case Unit is now focused on seven sexual assaults between 2001 and 2003 in Ashtabula, Lake and Summit counties.
Authorities, surviving family disagreed on not guilty verdict Written By: Erik Kaufman | ×
The home of John Mathis, eight miles north of Mount Vernon, is pictured in this Republic file photo. The farm was the site of a triple homicide nearly 40 years ago. (Chris Huber/Republic)
MOUNT VERNON, S.D. It was an ugly scene at the Mathis farm outside of Mount Vernon Sept. 8, 1981.
When police were called to the location that night, John W. Mathis was sitting on a bed in the metal shed he and his family were living in after a pair of fires had destroyed their home earlier in the year. His left arm was bleeding from a gunshot wound.
For the families of victims killed in unsolved murders, life is at a standstill.
The Enquirer is highlighting a series of cold cases, summarized and analyzed by the journalists whose careers largely focus on unsolved murders: the creators of Cincinnati.com s Accused podcast. If you have any information on any unsolved case, please reach out to the appropriate law enforcement agency. Suggestions for cases to highlight can be sent to accused@enquirer.com.
The crime: When Sharonville Police fielded a call about a man struggling to stand up near the entrance of Sharon Woods park, they thought they would find someone stumbling around drunk.