Robert Snoke

Robert “Bob” Snoke, a 54-year-old White man from Pataskala, Ohio, was a graduate of Upper Arlington High School and earned a degree in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Columbus State. He worked for many years in manufacturing and engineering businesses in the Columbus area. Known for his passion for traveling and working on cars, he had restored his own 1973 Hurst Oldsmobile. A music lover, he also enjoyed playing the drums. He was survived by his parents, two children, and several siblings.

On April 1, 2023, Mr. Snoke was found deceased in Columbus. His death was later revealed to be one in a series of homicides committed by Rebecca Auborn. According to prosecutors, from December 2022 to June 2023, Auborn met men for sex in exchange for money, then intentionally gave them fentanyl to overdose them so she could steal their valuables, including cars and credit cards.

The investigation connected Mr. Snoke’s death to three other fatal overdoses and one non-fatal attack. The other men who died were Joseph Crumpler, 30, in January 2023; Wayne Akin, 64, in April 2023; and Guy Renda, 42, in June 2023. A fifth man, Richard Bixler, survived a similar assault.

Rebecca Auborn was indicted in September 2023. In December 2025, she pleaded guilty to four counts of murder and one count of felonious assault as part of a plea deal. In exchange for her plea, 23 other counts, including involuntary manslaughter and trafficking, were dismissed.

At her sentencing hearing on February 19, 2026, family members of the victims filled the courtroom. Auborn addressed the court, stating she was a heavy drug user at the time of the crimes and apologized to the families. A judge sentenced her to four consecutive life sentences, with eligibility for parole only after serving a minimum of 60 years in prison. With this sentence, the case was closed in February 2026.