Todd Nelloms

On a cold winter day in 1990, the life of Todd Nelloms, a young man, was tragically cut short in Dayton, Ohio. The events of Sunday, January 14, 1990, remain shrouded in mystery, leaving a family with unanswered questions and a community with the memory of a life lost to violence. For more than three decades, the case has remained unsolved, a stark reminder of a promise of justice yet to be fulfilled.

Details about Todd’s life—his passions, his work, the daily routines that defined him, and the family that loved him—are not widely known from public records. What is known is that his life ended violently in Montgomery County. The Dayton Police Department was the first to respond to the incident, launching a homicide investigation into his death. Early efforts by detectives to identify the person or people responsible did not lead to an arrest, and as time passed, the case grew cold.

The investigation into Todd Nelloms's homicide is now in the hands of cold case investigators. The Dayton Police Department still holds the primary file on the case. In an effort to generate new leads, Todd's case is also featured by the Ohio Attorney General's Office in its statewide database of unsolved homicides. This public-facing effort by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) aims to bring fresh attention to cases that have stalled, hoping that someone, somewhere, may hold the missing piece of the puzzle. The BCI's platform provides visibility for cases like Todd's, ensuring they are not forgotten and increasing the chance that a tip might finally provide a breakthrough.

The city of Dayton was grappling with a significant number of homicides in that period, and the end of 1990 saw dozens of names added to a list of lives taken by violence. Each year, the Montgomery County Prosecutor's Office holds a Homicide Victim Memorial Service to remember those who have been lost. Todd Nelloms's name is included in this solemn roll call, a public acknowledgment of his life and the enduring impact of his death on the community. This annual remembrance serves as a tribute to the victims and a source of support for the many families who continue to navigate the complex grief that follows a violent loss.

As of today, there have been no arrests or publicly named suspects in the murder of Todd Nelloms. The specific circumstances of his death, including the exact location and the motive behind the act, have not been released to the public. Investigators continue to rely on the possibility that someone with information will come forward, whether driven by a change in relationships, a guilty conscience, or the passage of time.

The quest for justice for Todd Nelloms continues. His case, number 334 in the state's cold case files, remains open and active. Law enforcement officials urge anyone with knowledge about the incident, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward. The Ohio Attorney General's office maintains a tip line for individuals to submit information, offering a confidential channel to help bring closure to Todd's loved ones and hold his killer or killers accountable.