Do you know who killed Cheryl Huff in 2002? Cheryl K. Huff, a woman remembered by her family as a loving mother, grandmother, sister, and daughter, endured a brutal attack that left her with devastating injuries and a community with unanswered questions for nearly two decades. Born in Canton, Ohio, on May 27, 1959, Cheryl, who was also known by her maiden name, Bebout, was a cherished part of a large family. Her life was irrevocably altered by the violence she suffered, but her memory is preserved by her four children, numerous grandchildren, and extended family who miss her dearly.
The morning of Sunday, May 5, 2002, began with a grim discovery in a remote part of Tuscarawas County. A passing motorist spotted a figure lying on the ground near an oil well site on Huff Run Road, just outside the small community of Mineral City. First responders arrived to find Cheryl Huff, who had been viciously beaten and left for dead. She was suffering from exceptionally severe head trauma and was in critical condition.
The investigation by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office determined that prior to the assault, Cheryl had been at the Hob Nob bar in Canton, a city in the neighboring Stark County.
How Cheryl traveled from the bar to the secluded oil well site in a different county remains a central and unanswered question in the case. Investigators have never publicly identified who she was with that night or who she may have left the establishment with. The journey of more than 20 miles from the bar in Canton to the rural road where she was found represents a critical gap in the timeline of events. The motive for the attack and the circumstances that led her to that isolated location are unknown.
While Cheryl Huff survived the horrific assault, the severe head injuries she sustained resulted in permanent brain damage. The attack left her with lifelong health challenges, and her family later extended their gratitude to a caregiver who helped look after her. For more than 17 years, Cheryl and her family lived with the consequences of that night's violence. On November 19, 2019, at the age of 60, Cheryl passed away. Her family gathered to celebrate her life and lay her to rest in Evergreen Memorial Gardens.
The investigation into the assault on Cheryl Huff is managed by the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office Detective Bureau and is now considered a cold case. Over the years, detectives have sought the public's help, hoping that someone with knowledge of the events leading up to Cheryl's attack will come forward. The lack of closure has been a source of lasting pain for her loved ones. Key questions remain: Who was Cheryl with at the Hob Nob bar? How did she get to Huff Run Road? And who is responsible for the brutal act of violence that ultimately shadowed the rest of her life?
The case remains open, and investigators believe that someone in the community may hold the key to providing answers and delivering justice for Cheryl. The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office continues to offer a $1,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for the assault. Anyone with information regarding this case is urged to contact the Sheriff's Office at 330-339-2000 or toll-free in Ohio at 1-877-365-9316. All information can be kept confidential. 
