Fatal East Liverpool fire ruled murder-suicide

May 22, 2012

By JO ANN BOBBY-GILBERT - Staff Writer (jgilbert@mojonrews.com) , Morning Journal News

EAST LIVERPOOL - As previously reported, a March 17 fire that killed a father and his three sons was deliberately set, and county Coroner Dr. William Graham has now ruled the boys' deaths as homicides by arson and their father's as suicide by arson.
Ulrick Estimot, 37, and his sons Trey, 11, Terrell, 7, and Trenton, 5, perished in the early-morning blaze at their 941 Vine St. home. Angela Latshaw, fiance of Ulrick and mother of the youngest two boys, arrived home about midnight to find the home on fire after a passerby kicked in the front door, which was locked from inside.
Officials ruled within days that the fire was deliberately set, but no additional information has been forthcoming, pending the coroner's ruling, which was released Monday upon a request from the Morning Journal.
In the case of Ulrick Estimot, Graham said, "You could say his death was self-immolation (suicide by fire); he died of smoke inhalation. The boys also died of smoke inhalation."
His sons all had "very high" levels of carbon monoxide in their lungs, and while their father also had a high level of the deadly gas in his lungs, it was not as high as the children's, Graham said.
"You'd think they'd all be the same, but everyone reacts differently to fire," Graham explained, adding, "Probably, the father died faster than the children; he was the one with the gas can."
Graham said Estimot spread gasoline by the bedroom doors of the two older boys, then poured it down the stairwell to the living room downstairs, which was the fire's point of origin.
The bodies of Estimot and Trenton were found downstairs, the older boys upstairs.
Graham said if, as it appears, the father was at the site of the accelerant, the destruction of his pulmonary system from inhalation would be a quicker death than the death by carbon monoxide suffered by his children. He had reported earlier that all four victims also suffered burns of varying degrees.
Both the passerby and Latshaw had reported to police they heard the children screaming inside the burning home when the door was kicked in. They as well as police officers and firefighters were unable to get inside the home due to the intense fire and heat.
Graham said there was no indication the children had been immobilized by other types of injuries prior to the fire being set.
The police, fire department and state fire marshal launched a joint investigation, the outcome of which will be outlined in detail today at a 2 p.m. press conference in City Hall.

Gerald Klusch

Gerald Klusch was last seen around 1 p.m. on September 29, 2011. His body was discovered along Hazel Run Road on November 18, 2011.

If you have any information about this case, please contact Detective Andy Sweeney at 

The Sheriff's Department. 330-424-7255

It Is Coming Along! !!!!

Council joins homicide task force

LEETONIA

May 20, 2012

By KEVIN HOWELL , Salem News

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LEETONIA- Village Council Wednesday approved participation in the newly formed Columbiana County Homicide Task Force.
Council signed a mutual aid agreement with the organization to provide a police detective for homicide investigations outside the department's jurisdiction.
Police Chief John Soldano said after the meeting that he is pleased with council for its willingness to participate in what he called a "major step in law enforcement in the county."
"This is such an important situation for the county," he said. "It's going to have all the (participating) agencies working together when there is a homicide."
Drafted by county Prosecutor Robert Herron, the mutual aid agreement had been discussed for several years, but was brought to the forefront when last August Belinda Puchajda, founder of the county's Families of Homicide Victims requested $5,000 seed money to start a task force.
"Her efforts really need recognized because she has spearheaded this whole thing," Soldano said.
He also praised Sheriff Ray Stone and the sheriff's office, the first agency to join the task force after what Soldano said he viewed as reluctance at first.
Citing a Salem News article published after Puchajda's visit, Soldano said he felt Stone had "failed to respond" at the time, but is grateful that the office is taking an early and active role in the task force. Requests for assistance from the task force would go through the office, which would contact member departments to determine if they had any investigators available to provide assistance.
"I'm so grateful that so many departments in the county are joining the task force and that the sheriff has had a change in thought process," he said.
As part of the agreement, the Leetonia Police Department will provide a detective for homicide investigations in the county and will incur the wages of that detective's participation in the investigation.
Soldano said he hopes to see the task force activated by next month.
Kevin Howell can be reached at khowell@salemnews.net

County police join forces on homicide

Mutual Aid Agreement offers help from other departments

May 16, 2012

By TOM GIAMBRONI , Salem News

LISBON -The first 48 hours in a murder investigation are often the most critical, even more so if the police department lacks sufficient personnel to conduct the initial investigation.
In an effort to put more boots on the ground when a suspected homicide occurs, law enforcement agencies in Columbiana County are joining forces to provide immediate investigatory assistance to whomever needs it.
Under the Homicide Task Force Mutual Aid Agreement drafted by county Prosecutor Robert Herron, police departments that sign on would agree to provide investigatory assistance when requested from other signators.
County Sheriff Ray Stone, who was the first to sign the agreement, compared it to mutual aid agreements between fire departments. "If there's a homicide, and they want assistance from the task force, it would be there," he said. "If you need extra help, then that help is readily available."
The idea of creating such a task force was first raised about 10 years ago by former Sheriff David Smith but abandoned due to lack of interest. Stone said when he was Perry Township police chief he remembers Herron pushing the idea, but nothing came of it.
Then last August, the head of the county Families of Homicide Victims resurrected the idea when its founder Belinda Puchajda asked county commissioners for $5,000 seed money she said was needed to start the task force.
Herron did not return a phone message left for him, but Stone said the prosecutor has been meeting with police chiefs from around the county for the past several months to create the task force, and every department in the county except East Liverpool expressed interest in participating.
Due to the limited funding of the police departments in the county, only a few have a detective. When a suspected homicide occurs, the task of gathering evidence and interviewing witnesses can be daunting, especially for a small department, which is where the task force comes in.
Requests for assistance from the task force would go through the sheriff's office, which would contact member departments to determine if they had any investigators available to provide assistance.
Stone said even with four detectives, his staff can often be overwhelmed, depending on the circumstances. He recalled during a 2011 homicide investigation they found four people at the scene and learned at least another four had fled, and all of them needed interviewed as soon as possible, along with neighbors and other potential witnesses, so the information could be pieced together to create a picture of what had happened.
"There's so many things to do," he said. "The first few hours are really the most important, and if you can have four or six detectives instead of just one that really helps."
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation assists, but its focus is on processing forensic evidence at the crime scene.
Stone said the chief law enforcement officer in the community where the homicide occurred would retain jurisdiction, regardless of what assistance is provided. For example, if the crime occurred in Salem, the Salem Police Department would remain in charge of the investigation
The participating departments would agree to pay the wages of the investigators who assist under the task force agreement. Stone expects those costs to be minimal because there a few suspected homicides during any given year, and the time required would likely be no more than one day.
Training may be available through the state for new investigators designated to participate in the task force, and Stone said the training could be held at the monthly meeting of county detectives hosted by his detectives. These meetings are held to share investigatory information.
The mutual aid agreements must be approved by the various city and village councils and boards of township trustees. Those being asked to sign are: Salem, Columbiana, East Palestine, Lisbon, Leetonia, New Waterford, Salineville, Wellsville, Summitville, St. Clair Township, Liverpool Township and Perry Township.
East Palestine Council approved the agreement, and Lisbon Council was asked to sign the agreement at its meeting this past week, but they declined to take any action due to questions they had. Lisbon's chief was unavailable to provide the answers because he is off while recovering from surgery.

Columbiana officials debate the merits of joining homicide task force

 Way to Go Chief Gladis!!!

 

Columbiana officials debate the merits of joining homicide task force

May 17, 2012

COLUMBIANA The city has decided to join the newly formed county homicide task force, but the benefits of doing so were questioned by one on council.
Kicking off a lengthy discussion, Councilman Bob Bieshelt questioned whether joining the task force would result in the city police department spending time and money to help other departments he believes are already understaffed.
"What this winds up with is it's going to cost us money, and we are going to get very little in return," he said.
But Police Chief Tim Gladis and others on council disagreed.
"No entity is an island, and I think we'll get help," Gladis countered, adding that overtime costs for officers on the city force during a homicide investigation would exceed any cost through the mutual aid agreement.
The agreement was drafted by county Prosecutor Robert Herron and is for providing investigatory assistance from member departments in the event of a homicide. Departments agree to pay the wages of the investigators who assist under the agreement.
Gladis said that contrary to Bieshelt's belief, the city department is also understaffed and would need the help offered through the task force should a homicide occur.
"When Chase Bank was robbed two officers responded to that. We had nine people come from the FBI and violent crimes task force. Without that help we would have been very overwhelmed quickly and it was not even a homicide," Gladis said.
The department is continuing to look for the suspect, believed to be an older woman, who robbed the bank at gunpoint on March 23.
"Chief, I love the term mutual aid, but we don't know who is going to play this game. We don't know who is going to sign, and if it's one of those places down by the river that has a lot of homicides" it could be a problem, Bieshelt said.
Gladis told council members that wouldn't be the case.
"The entity he is referring to is not going to sign. They feel they have the ability to handle it on their own. We have a number of commitments from the Sheriff's Office and Prosecutor's Office," he said.
Those who have already signed the agreement are County Sheriff Ray Stone and the Village of East Palestine. East Liverpool has opted not to join the task force.
Bieshelt also expressed concern over providing mutual aid to Fairfield Township.
"All (mutual aid) says is we are going to move in to cover that imbalance so that no one else will have to pay tax. We have a very professional police department and we pay for it and the gracious taxpayers," he said.
Gladis said the county sheriff's office is responsible for "making the call" when it comes to Fairfield Township, but Bieshelt argued the sheriff's office is also "well understaffed."
Gladis said he believes all area departments would be considered understaffed in the event of a homicide investigation.
Referring to the yet unsolved death of Michele Dana on Christmas Day in the city two years ago and that of Stacey Sutera earlier this year, he said, "We have a number of homicides here in this county. I believe in mutual aid."
Sutera was killed in Canfield but began being stalked in Columbiana, he said.
Councilman James King agreed with Councilman Bryan Blakeman that joining the task force is like purchasing an insurance policy "if you need it, it's there," he said.
He also said the recent bank robbery shows that bad things sometimes happen in Columbiana and it's good to be prepared for the worst-case scenario.
"I never imagined someone would walk into Chase Bank at nine o'clock in the morning and rob it," he said.
Joining the task force was approved by all on council except Bieshelt.

Don't forget to come out to our Spaghetti Dinner and Penny Auction this coming Sunday in Lisbon!!! 

We have over 60 items for the auction! Live Penny Auction starts at 4 and dinner is served til 6pm. 

Man involved with Holly Carosiello case charged

May 15, 2012

By DEANNE JOHNSON - Staff Reporter (newsroom@reviewonline.com) , The Review

LISBON - One of the men who last saw Holly Carosiello alive last August was in Columbiana County Common Pleas Court Monday.
Anthony Carosiello, 25, Francis Drive, Wellsville, is charged with three counts of tampering with evidence, obstruction of official business and a firearm specification. All charges stem from the night Holly Carosiello, 22, was shot and killed outside the home of her estranged husband Nicholas Carosiello on Township Line Road on Aug. 12.
Anthony Carosiello's charges were reportedly due to his refusal to cooperate with investigators investigating his sister-in-law's death.
A small group of family members were gathered in the back of Judge C. Ashley Pike's courtroom. A T-shirt read "Justice for Holly."
Anthony Carosiello's trial had been initially set for next week, but his attorney Gerald Ingram filed a motion to continue which was accepted. The trial is now set for Wednesday, Aug. 8.
Anthony Carosiello is one of four people charged in relation to the shooting death. Jamie M. Adkins, Dresden Avenue, East Liverpool, is charged with involuntary manslaughter, burglary, complicity to burglary and conspiracy to burglary regarding his alleged actions the day before and the day of the shooting.
Dustin R. Green, May Street, East Liverpool, has been charged with both complicity to burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary. Joshua L. Rudder, 21, St. Clair Avenue, East Liverpool has been charged with complicity to burglary. Court documents allege Green and Rudder assisted Holly Carosiello and Adkins in the attempted burglary at Nicholas Carosiello's home.
Green's jury trial is still set for May 21. Adkins' jury trial is scheduled for June 11 and Rudder is set for jury trial on July 24.

Sorry for the delay in postings...

I would like to apologize for my long absences between posts. My Mom lost her battle with cancer on April 27th and I am struggling to function without her. 
She was always very supportive of CCFHV and everything I do. 
Please bare with me and hopefully, I will be back to normal soon.
Belinda 

Linda Coe

April 30, 2012

The Review

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Linda Coe
LISBON-Linda J. Coe, 73 of Lisbon passed away on Thursday April 27, 2012 at her home. She had been ill for about one year.
A daughter of the late Duane M. and Lois M Herron Guildoo, she was born on March 8, 1939 in East Liverpool.
Linda had worked manufacturing telephones for Western Electric.
She was a member of the LaCroft Church of the Nazarene.
In addition to her parents, preceding her in death were two sisters, Ann McCarty, and Vonda Coy.
Surviving her at home is her loving husband, Allen C. Coe. Also surviving are two sons, Donald and William Coe of Lisbon, two daughters, Belinda Puchajda of Lisbon and Donna Lomars of California, two brothers, Gary Guildoo of East Liverpool, and Don Guildoo of Salineville, two sisters, Carol Reynolds of East Liverpool, and Ruth Marx of Illinois, six grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Assistant minister of the LaCroft Church of the Nazarene, Erica Como will conduct a memorial service on Tuesday from 3:00 to 5:00 pm at the Arner Funeral Chapel in Chester.

Klusch family pushes reward   Save | Post a comment | LISBON - Stating it was more about justice this time, the widow of murder victim Gerald George Klusch once again stood in front of television cameras and the media Wednesday to offer a reward. It has been more than seven months since the disappearance of Klusch. Leah Klusch said the case is still much on the minds of his family and friends, leading to a $20,000 reward being offered. This time the reward is for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person responsible for her husband's death. Klusch, 71, U.S. Route 30, Lisbon, was last seen on Sept. 29 by an employee, Matt Bailey. His pickup truck was found the next day with blood inside the back, but no sign of Klusch. Leah Klusch said it was a normal day. She had breakfast with her husband and left for work. He interacted with his son and his daughter. The last time they saw him he was on the farm. "There was no indications there was anything different," Leah Klusch said. "He was a very quiet man. He had very structured routines." This is the second time the Klusch family has offered a reward. On Nov. 15, the family offered $20,000 to anyone who provided information allowing the family to find his body. His body was found three days later, about seven weeks after he disappeared. He was found in a wooded area off Hazel Run Road near Salineville. His clothes, wallet, identification and credit cards were found near the body. He was found as investigators followed up on leads they already had before the reward was offered. Leah Klusch said Wednesday the committee is still considering whether or not the initial reward will be given. The committee is made up of a member of the family, a member of the investigating team and the family's legal adviser. The same group will also determine if anyone qualifies for the current reward. Gerald Klusch's death was officially ruled a homicide in late January. Two gunshot wounds to the head from an undetermined range was listed as the cause of death. Sheriff Raymond Stone and Detective Lt. Andy Sweeney said Wednesday leads continue to come in and they continue to follow up on them. "This one is taking more time (than most)," Stone said. "There were no witnesses who saw what happened so there is no solid evidence." Although Klusch was missing for the first two months, Sweeney said they have been investigating it as they would a homicide from early on. Leah Klusch reiterated several times during the press conference they are hoping to keep her husband's case in the forefront of people's minds, hoping someone will remember something and be able to come forward with even a little bit of information. There have been indications about how difficult Klusch's death has been for the family. Leah Klusch has filed for protective custody of her adult daughter, Katie, in probate court, where the case indicates she has been having issues brought on by the murder of her father. "Jerry and I were married for 45 years," Leah Klusch said. "He was my best friend. Ryan (their son) was in business with him and Katie had a great relationship with him. We all had a positive relationship with him. We're all dealing with the grief differently. I just hope somebody remembers something."