Chaz Kaltenbach

Do you know who murdered Chaz?\n
Chaz Keith Kaltenbach, a 19-year-old man from Chillicothe, Ohio, was a young life with a future full of promise, cut short in the early morning hours of December 3, 2006. Born in Columbus on August 24, 1987, Chaz was known affectionately to some as “Little Bach.” Though he resided in Chillicothe, about an hour south of the city, he had connections to Columbus and was visiting the area near the Ohio State University campus when his life was tragically taken. His family and friends remember him fondly and continue to hope for answers in his unsolved killing.

The specific details of what brought Chaz to Columbus that weekend remain unclear, but the outcome was devastating. In the darkness of early Sunday morning, an unknown assailant fired a gun, and Chaz was struck by the bullet. He was discovered deceased at the rear of an off-campus residence at 351 E. 11th Avenue, in a neighborhood heavily populated by university students. The area, located between the Weinland Park and the University District neighborhoods, is a dense mix of apartment buildings and multi-unit houses, typically bustling with activity, yet no witnesses to the shooting have ever come forward publicly.

The Columbus Division of Police was the first to respond to the scene. Upon their arrival, they found Chaz Kaltenbach suffering from a fatal gunshot wound. Homicide detectives were called in, and an investigation was launched under case number 1770. The Franklin County Coroner's office confirmed the cause of death as a homicide, but the circumstances leading up to the shooting have remained a mystery for years. Investigators have not publicly released information about a possible motive, any suspects, or persons of interest in the case.

In the years since Chaz’s death, his case has grown cold, but it has not been forgotten. The Columbus Police Department continues to house the open investigation, and the Ohio Attorney General's office has included Chaz's story in its Unsolved Homicides database. This public-facing effort aims to bring renewed attention to cases like his, with the hope that the passage of time may encourage someone with crucial information to finally step forward. A poster featuring Chaz's photograph and the details of his death has been circulated by the Attorney General's office, a silent plea for justice in a case with few answers.

The enduring pain of this loss is deeply felt by Chaz's family and community. His death left a void that has not diminished with time. His grandmother, Rosemary Dixon, passed away in 2013, having had to endure the profound grief of outliving her grandson. For his mother and other loved ones, the lack of resolution compounds their sorrow. They are left to remember the young man they lost while grappling with the unanswered questions of who was responsible and why.

As of November 2026, the murder of Chaz Kaltenbach remains an open and active investigation, a persistent and somber entry in the records of Columbus homicides. His family and friends are determined to see his killer brought to justice, keeping his memory alive while they continue their long wait for a breakthrough. Law enforcement officials urge anyone with even the smallest piece of information regarding the incident on December 3, 2006, to come forward. The Bureau of Criminal Investigation can be contacted at 855-224-6446, as any tip could be the key to finally solving this case and providing a measure of peace to those who still mourn Chaz.