On October 30, 1987, David Smelser, 31, was shot to death in an isolated rented farmhouse at 2188 Consolidated Road in Eaton, Ohio, along with Melinda Newcomb and Donald Marker. The three victims were found on November 2 by a friend, Doug Crowell, who had gone to check on Smelser after he failed to appear for work; Smelser’s truck was at the scene, lights were on, and a radio was playing. Each victim had been shot in the head, and investigators believe the killings occurred late on October 30.

Authorities say there were no obvious signs of a struggle and that Smelser may have been the primary target, with Newcomb and Marker arriving before the shooter left. Marker had recently returned to Preble County from Colorado and was staying with Smelser; Newcomb had gone to give Marker a ride after they had been at a local bar. Despite a long investigation by the Preble County Sheriff’s Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, the case remains unsolved; investigators report insufficient evidence to prosecute, though they have a person of interest.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Preble County Sheriff’s Office or submit a tip through the Ohio Attorney General’s cold case initiative.