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Post by admin on Jan 21, 2007 0:54:18 GMT -5
Late in the evening on Friday, October 30, 1987, three individuals were murdered by at least one gunshot to the head in a house located at 2188 Consolidated Road, in Eaton, Ohio. The names of the murdered individuals were David Smelser, Melinda Newcomb, and Donnie Marker. The bodies were not found until the following Monday, 3 days later, at approximately 5:30 p.m. The man who found the bodies was Smelser’s boss, Doug Crowell. After looking through the window and realizing the circumstances, Crowell went next door and called the police. To this day, the case is open and remains unsolved. The authorities of Preble County believe that it was a professional hit, and that at least one of the victims was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. At one point in time, the Ohio Criminal Bureau of Investigation was involved in the investigation, but have since phased out.
Many rumors have circulated in the nearly 20 years since the murders, and many ideas as to what happened have developed. Many citizens feel unsafe in the community, and believe that the Consolidated Road murders were not an “unusual happening” and are related to other cases in and around Preble County.
A lot of facts about the case have been overlooked by the local authorities, and evidence has gone missing. A few individuals have attempted to perform their own personal investigations into the case and have found some terrifying and disturbing information. This case has many twists and turns, and just as many unanswered questions. This case must be taken out of the hands of Preble County law enforcement if it is ever going to be solved.
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Post by admin on Mar 2, 2007 9:36:44 GMT -5
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Post by admin on Mar 2, 2007 9:37:26 GMT -5
Preble County officials shocked that allegations of corruption and evidence tampering are suspected by citizens 
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Post by copwatcher on Apr 6, 2007 17:18:38 GMT -5
Does anybody have a copy of the video?
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Post by copwatcher on Apr 6, 2007 17:22:10 GMT -5
Who was the prime suspect?
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Post by copwatcher on Apr 6, 2007 17:29:09 GMT -5
Did you or any of the other family members receive letters inviting you/them to look at the file & the video?
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Post by copwatcher on Apr 6, 2007 17:32:29 GMT -5
Have you talked to John Condit?
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Post by copwatcher on Apr 6, 2007 17:36:22 GMT -5
The article says they went to the FBI in Washington D.C. Ever seen that report? The article quotes them as saying it was not fruitful, what exactly did they do?
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Post by copwatcher on Apr 6, 2007 17:40:17 GMT -5
I guess OBCI didn't find any clues either? I just think it's so funny how RF opted not to charge the suspect though she says she had enough evidence to charge but not enough to convict the suspect. IMHO that's BS! I'd really like to know who the suspect was & how many times if any he/she was detained & questioned. We need to see that video.
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Post by admin on Apr 6, 2007 23:25:01 GMT -5
I have a copy of one of the local crimewatchers stories they did on this case from years ago. It is hard to watch because the reporter was "fed" information by LE rather than attaining their own information from interviews - one of the reasons I do not trust the local papers/television there and would never speak with them, nor will I in the future. (Is that the video you are referring to?)
I can no longer remember the name of the kid that LE was saying was responsible, but he was our age at the time (in our 20s) and was in some sort of trouble with the law. He was also a friend of my husband's and I was repeatedly told by our friends that this guy was not responsible. (The same person that the town was whispering was likely responsible is the same person you are probably hearing about today.) When I came to town for the funerals, we all partied in a local bar afterwards and the kid that was suspect was there. He came up to me and looked right in my eyes and swore he did not do it. He could barely say the words and I had already known it was true. "They" were after him, though, and had all the town doubting, even those who knew him well - not unlike what has happened to Billy Scott. Another story going around was a hit from Colorado bikers, and that was a fabricated story resulting from my first interview with Plaugher - we had been living in Colorado, I am a biker, and we were smoking pot. That's it. No idea how a confidential interview could be leaked to the public, and the facts so distorted.
I never received a bit of correspondence from LE. They did not even call to tell me about the homicides. The only item I received of my husband's belongings was his hairbrush with his hair still in it and a boombox. I have never been invited to see the files until 2 months ago. No information was shared with me in years gone by - in fact I was intimidated to stop asking questions and ended up filing a complaint against the investigator.
Who is John Condit?
"They" make a big deal out of making sure everyone knows they personally drove evidence to the FBI lab in Washington. The only evidence I personally know about is a fresh footprint left in newly deposited insulation outside the kitchen door. "They" say the FBI lost it.
OBCI got pretty far into the investigation, but said it eventually stalled because there were so many rumors. They did tell someone in one of their last known visits to PC that they were aware (at that time, about 8 yrs. ago) that the Sheriff's office was one of the most corrupt in Ohio.
The internet has changed everything for us. We now know most of the story/persons involved. For being such a mystery, it is surprising how many people know and witnessed things. I believe this case would have been solved if OBCI had access to the public like we do now - there is one solid story of what happened and who was present. Now it is just a matter of....waiting.
RF was just doing her job throwing the public from the truth. She knows what happened and WHO all was there. We, too, now know what everyone was at the house FOR that evening and for MANY evenings, that there was a LOOKOUT and who that lookout was and that the lookout was also there for all those many evenings. We know ALL WHO WERE IN ATTENDANCE that evening.
CW, please contact me at my private email (the one you are usually contact me with) and we will continue this line of thought....
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Post by anonymous on Aug 30, 2007 21:47:40 GMT -5
To whom it may concern,
I believe we have a copy of the video. I'll have to ask my family member that was involved.
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Post by copwatcher on Oct 4, 2007 17:01:51 GMT -5
Planning the rememberence for 10-30-07 is coming right along. Will let you know as plans progress. CW
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Post by Just Me on Nov 18, 2007 0:52:31 GMT -5
Are there any documents that name anyone questioned or who voluntarily provided info for this case.
There's a specific name I'm looking for and trying to figure out if he ever went to the authorities.
If these documents aren't published or located where I can check myself, may I contact someone here who may be able to check?
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Post by hattrick1965 on Jun 22, 2008 6:31:57 GMT -5
20 + years......not one person, busted, offered no info on this? That would lead me to believe that no "criminals" had anything to do with this. They always are willing to cut deals to get em outta trouble....what kinda bone, would a trip homicide get someone?
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Post by billyboy on May 11, 2010 23:44:50 GMT -5
Maybe they arent so much corrupt as they are stupid. Nah, theyre corrupt and stupid.
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Post by billyboy on May 11, 2010 23:51:49 GMT -5
I'm telling you. I hope some justice comes youre way.There is though, a new genration of lawyers coming up now and we all grew up here. We each had to put up with their bullnuts in the system and I myself am obtaing an education based on resentment, but I like to call it turning a negative into a positive. God willing, they'll have there day in court, buy we must keep in mind, they will have an inevitable day with God.
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Post by billy boy on May 11, 2010 23:53:57 GMT -5
and god willing my typing gets better  lol |
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Post by fromeaton on May 6, 2012 18:34:47 GMT -5
Are these murders still unsolved? Nothing has been posted in a while, am hoping there's since been an arrest. Of course, it probably would be a lot to ask for the sheriffs dept to arrest their own! Was shocked to stumble across this atrocity, I knew Dave, does anyone know of his sister Cindy's whereabouts? am so sorry to hear of these murders and the other
mysterious accidents I've been reading about, not sorry I moved away....
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Post by Anonymous on May 18, 2013 4:13:03 GMT -5
It has now been over twenty-six years since the triple homicide occurred in 1987 but it still is intriguing people in this corrupt district called "Preble County." A few years ago, I was fifteen or sixteen when I found out about these horrific murders. My mother who had worked at the stable at the time of the murders saw all three victims the night they were killed. Her friend, Melinda Newcomb, she described as a good and close friend. She served all three drinks and watched them leave to go to the drive-thru across the streets for smokes and beers. She decided to tell me this story because I was out all night and she feared for my safety. She didn't want the same thing to happen to me. So me, being the curious George I am, decided to investigate how surreal this topic was to me at the time. She even showed me the FBI card that she still has in her wallet.
After a few hours of investigating, I truly feared for my life. It hit so close to home because the road of the murders is not even five minutes away from my house. I graduated with the daughter of Doug Crowell. All of these factors made me feel as if I owed somebody something. It has been over four years and I still feel this dedication. The evidence about the case, if there is even anything left from the fire at the library and also other cited cases of evidence being burned, can maybe used to bring someone to justice. There is a "subject" who is still thought to have been soley responsible for the incident but he/she is still at large without any charges being filed against.
I know that this thread is over six years old and that no one probably checks it anymore, but I wanted to let you know that there are still people out there that care. I will be willing to help put evidence together in order to get it to the "big man" in D.C.
Hopefully you check the thread soon and maybe we can all bring this person to justice.
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Post by Diane Gibbs on May 31, 2013 21:16:25 GMT -5
Hi I have been in contact with Preble county for some time. Though my story is different...it still hurts me. My mom was ruled as a suicide May 2, 1954. Her name is Glenna Jean Lee-Gibbs. I have done a lot of research and even received some information about my stepmom, Pauline Gibbs who shot my dad in Sept.9, 1961. The problem lies with Preble county not giving me an autopsy for my biological mom. There is a cover up. The coroner who came on to the scene started the day before. My mom's family were on their way from Oregon. They launched a complaint. I as you...don't want my mom to be considered a coward. A woman who left her five kids with a brutal alcoholic. At this point I have nothing from preble county. I do have facts from family..it is heresay...Will you band with me...will you help me?
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Post by Bill S. on Jan 10, 2017 22:57:34 GMT -5
I hope people still monitor this thread so I can use it to help me get up to speed on this triple murder. I am a former LE officer and friend to Melinda's Dad. I have a lot of spare time and I want to put it to use to see what I can find out for him after all these years! I have told him I don't know if I can get justice for the victims, but I am willing to do my best. If anyone has any information about this horrible crime, please let me know. I know it is a cold case, but maybe something can still be determined. I will be contacting all agencies involved, including the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (OBCI). It is long overdue in getting this case solved, no matter where it leads!
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Post by John R on Jun 9, 2017 17:26:49 GMT -5
I hope people still monitor this thread so I can use it to help me get up to speed on this triple murder. I am a former LE officer and friend to Melinda's Dad. I have a lot of spare time and I want to put it to use to see what I can find out for him after all these years! I have told him I don't know if I can get justice for the victims, but I am willing to do my best. If anyone has any information about this horrible crime, please let me know. I know it is a cold case, but maybe something can still be determined. I will be contacting all agencies involved, including the FBI and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (OBCI). It is long overdue in getting this case solved, no matter where it leads! |
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Post by ufo on Aug 28, 2017 11:14:03 GMT -5
I have heard rumors that the house in question was the scene of multiple murders some years earlier. where can I find more information on that?
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Post by Anonymous on Dec 19, 2022 1:08:10 GMT -5
Melinda left behind 2 sisters. I am one of them. I search the internet from time to time to see if there is any new information. It has been 35 years that she has been gone and I still miss her terribly and feel compelled to post this. I know in my heart that we, as Melinda’s family, did everything we could do, to fight for justice for Melinda, David and Donnie. From the blogs and posts I have read, Donnie’s family has fought for the same. For whatever reason, this case has not been solved. It hasn’t been from lack of trying on the families’ part. The people that had responsibility for this case just didn’t get the job done, whatever their motive, or lack thereof, was. This goes for both Preble County and Ohio BCI and any other involved entity. For this case to be solved, it’s going to take a miracle and Devine intervention. Please know I pray that we all have peace in this situation. Rest easy that one day we will be reunited with them. I am forever grateful, to all of you that have fought a good fight in this terrible tragedy. God bless.
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Post by Anonymous on Jun 4, 2023 13:38:31 GMT -5
Melinda left behind 2 sisters. I am one of them. I search the internet from time to time to see if there is any new information. It has been 35 years that she has been gone and I still miss her terribly and feel compelled to post this. I know in my heart that we, as Melinda’s family, did everything we could do, to fight for justice for Melinda, David and Donnie. From the blogs and posts I have read, Donnie’s family has fought for the same. For whatever reason, this case has not been solved. It hasn’t been from lack of trying on the families’ part. The people that had responsibility for this case just didn’t get the job done, whatever their motive, or lack thereof, was. This goes for both Preble County and Ohio BCI and any other involved entity. For this case to be solved, it’s going to take a miracle and Devine intervention. Please know I pray that we all have peace in this situation. Rest easy that one day we will be reunited with them. I am forever grateful, to all of you that have fought a good fight in this terrible tragedy. God bless. |
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Post by Sasha on Feb 1, 2024 19:46:51 GMT -5
I sure wish I could find more information on this. I’m from the New Paris area and there is just so much that has happened and not received justice.
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Post by letsfindout on Feb 1, 2024 20:13:15 GMT -5
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Post by letsfindout on Feb 1, 2024 20:18:23 GMT -5
Absolutely agree. My Aunts murder in 1990 I believe is related to this case. I believe, because of a certain family involvement in the cover up of the 1987 murders, PREBLE county has protected them. So when this same family killed my Aunt, they framed an innocent man to protect them. I am hoping real soon the whole truth and nothing but the truth will be clear!!!!!!
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Post by letsfindout on Feb 1, 2024 20:58:08 GMT -5
Absolutely agree. My Aunts murder in 1990 I believe is related to this case. I believe, because of a certain family involvement in the cover up of the 1987 murders, PREBLE county has protected them. So when this same family killed my Aunt, they framed an innocent man to protect them. I am hoping real soon the whole truth and nothing but the truth will be clear!!!!!!
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Post by Wow on Mar 4, 2024 9:13:00 GMT -5
Absolutely agree. My Aunts murder in 1990 I believe is related to this case. I believe, because of a certain family involvement in the cover up of the 1987 murders, PREBLE county has protected them. So when this same family killed my Aunt, they framed an innocent man to protect them. I am hoping real soon the whole truth and nothing but the truth will be clear!!!!!! So sorry for your loss; I’m also wondering if my family may have been victimized. |
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lol