Deborah Hovestadt, 41, of Mansfield, Ohio, died on July 7, 2014. She was born January 8, 1973, in Norfolk, Virginia, and is survived by four children and six grandchildren. Deborah enjoyed traveling and gambling.

Her death was initially investigated as a possible suicide, but an expert later testified that the shooting was a homicide. Deborah was shot in the face with a .44 Magnum handgun at her home on Kings Corners Road East; the weapon was found in her right hand when she was discovered. Her boyfriend, Darryl Taylor, then 30, was charged in connection with the death. He entered a no contest plea to two weapons charges, was later indicted on murder and aggravated murder with a firearm specification, and during trial a forensic expert, Alexander Jason, testified that the physical evidence indicated homicide.

A jury convicted Taylor of murder with a gun specification and tampering with evidence; he was sentenced to 23 years to life.