Three people, including a 22-month-old boy, were found dead inside a Gnadenhutten home Wednesday morning after a mysterious 911 hang-up call prompted an extensive effort by dispatchers and law enforcement to locate the caller.
According to information released by authorities, the Tuscarawas County 911 Dispatch Center received a call at approximately 4:17 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.
The call disconnected almost immediately, preventing dispatchers from obtaining a location.
Dispatchers made several attempts to call the number back. During one of those calls, a voice could apparently be heard softly saying the word “help.”
That prompted an effort to trace the phone and determine where the call originated.
Investigators eventually contacted the owner of the phone, who explained that it was a spare device he had loaned to an associate.
Dispatchers and deputies worked to track the phone to several possible locations before eventually determining it might be at a residence at 223 N. Cherry St. in the village of Gnadenhutten.
Authorities located a family member who was able to unlock the door to the home.
Inside, investigators discovered three deceased individuals.
The victims were identified only by their ages and genders: a 67-year-old man, a 51-year-old woman and a 22-month-old boy.
Authorities said all three appeared to have suffered gunshot wounds. A firearm was also recovered from the scene.
The identities of the deceased have not yet been publicly released, and investigators have not disclosed the relationships between the three individuals.
Tuscarawas County Coroner Dr. Jeff Cameron took custody of the bodies and ordered autopsies to determine the official causes and manners of death.
Authorities have not indicated whether the deaths are being investigated as homicides, a murder-suicide or under other circumstances.
The investigation remains active, with detectives expected to conduct numerous interviews and examine evidence collected from the residence.
Despite the circumstances surrounding the deaths, authorities indicated they do not believe there is an ongoing threat to the public.
“There are many people to interview and much to do with evidence from the scene but I feel strongly that the community is in no danger,” the statement said.
Investigators have not released additional details about what may have led to the shooting or who placed the initial 911 call.
Authorities said additional information will be made available once investigators have gathered and verified the necessary facts.
This is a developing story. Jordan Miller News will provide updates as additional information becomes available.
