http://www.indeonline.com/article/20150122/NEWS/150129719/1994/NEWS
Human remains found in car of missing Strasburg couple (UPDATED 8:30 p.m.)
Forensic testing will be conducted to confirm if the human remains found inside a burned car Thursday near Bakersville are those of a missing Strasburg couple, but authorities believe that it is Doyle and Lillian Chumney.
BAKERSVILLE
Forensic testing will be conducted to confirm if the human remains found inside a burned car Thursday near Bakersville are those of a missing Strasburg couple, but authorities believe that it is Doyle and Lillian Chumney.
Doyle, 88, and Lillian, 79, were last heard from about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday. Their home at 308 Bodmer Ave. SW was found ransacked Wednesday morning by their daughter.
“We have two victims in the car that we recovered, which did belong to the people in Strasburg,” Strasburg Police Chief Robert Kutcher said, adding that he believes it is the Chumneys.
Speaking briefly to the media at about 6:30 p.m. Thursday, near where the car was found, he said the investigation is ongoing, and that “we are actively searching for suspects at this time.”
A motorist reported shortly before noon Thursday he saw a burned car on Adams Township Road 244 in Coshocton County. The car has been identified as the 1986 Pontiac Parisienne belonging to the couple, according to Chief Deputy Orvis Campbell of the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department.
The motorist called Coshocton County Sheriff’s Department. A deputy responding to the scene saw what appeared to be human remains inside the car. The department then notified the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Department, which also dispatches for Strasburg police.
Campbell said he was in an airplane flying over the northern portion of Tuscarawas County searching for the vehicle at the time. After landing, he and Sheriff Walt Wilson went to the scene to offer assistance.
“The case falls under the responsibility of the Strasburg Police Department, and we will continue to assist as Chief Kutcher requests,” Campbell said.
“Because of the intensity of the fire, it will require further investigation — including DNA testing or checking dental records — to determine the identity of the remains,” Campbell said.
There is no indication of the cause of death, he said.
The Coshocton County Coroner responded to the scene and is assisting in the investigation.
“The car was very badly burned, but it’s definitely their car,” Campbell said. “Investigation continues into the cause of the fire and if an accelerant was used.”
The car was transported about 6:45 p.m. Thursday to a secure location for further testing by agents of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, who are assisting Strasburg police. The car, covered by a tarp, was transported atop a flatbed tow truck.
The car was found on a narrow gravel road, just outside Bakersville and south of state Route 751. There are gas and oil wells along the road, and some residences in the general area.
“If you’re driving on that road, it would be impossible to miss seeing the car,” Campbell said. “We’re asking anyone who traveled on that road Wednesday or Thursday, but didn’t see the car, to call and tell us because that will help with the timeline of events.”
Campbell said that authorities have received a few calls, mostly related to possible sightings of the car before it was found.
Frantic 911 call from daughter
In a panicked call to 911, Diane Enama, the daughter of Doyle and Lillian Chumney, tells dispatchers the home of her mother and father has been ransacked, and they are missing. The dispatcher works to keep Enama calm during the more than six-minute call, which was made at 11:24 a.m. Wednesday. Portions of the call are transcribed below:
Enama: I just came to check on my parents, they’re not here, their car is gone and somebody has ransacked the place.
Dispatcher: OK, does it look like the house has been like forced entry?
Enama: Um, nobody [inaudible], the lockbox and safe keys are all over the place.
Dispatcher: OK, and their car is not there you said?
Enama: No, no.
Dispatcher: OK, is there anywhere they would be this time of day?
Enama: They were supposed to go get my brother to take him to the airport, and he called me to tell me that they were not there when they were supposed to be. And I said, ‘Well, that’s funny because I tried to call them at 8 o’clock this morning and nobody answered.’ And I thought when they didn’t answer, I thought it was because maybe they had stayed overnight with [inaudible] to the airport.
Dispatcher: So what time were they supposed to be taking somebody to the airport?
Enama: They were supposed to pick up my brother in Massillon at 10:30. My brother tried to call them, but they didn’t answer for him either.
Dispatcher: OK, OK. So you tried to call the house today, but nobody answered?
Enama: I tried to call at 8, he tried to call at 8:30, he tried to call at I think he said 10:30.
Dispatcher: OK. I’ve got an officer that’s responding. He’s going to be there in just a few minutes, OK? Your officers are right in Strasburg, so it’s not going to take them too long there to you, OK? Try to stay calmed down.
Enama: Oh Lord, please keep them safe. Please keep them safe, Lord.
fishy....
