- Coroner’s investigator says father believed to be person who shot wife, their three children.
- Toxicology report needed before investigator can make final report.
- Police have said they suspect a domestic dispute led to the fatal shootings.
CANTON ‒ Authorities believe Jason Dunham fired the gunshots that killed the other four members of his family last week in a homicide-suicide at their Lake Township home.
Harry Campbell, chief investigator with the Stark County Coroner’s Office, said on Tuesday that’s the preliminary finding, although a final report about the deaths of the Dunham family will not be written until a toxicology report is completed. It is expected in two to three weeks.
All information available Tuesday indicated Jason Dunham, the father, died by suicide, Campbell said. Police have said they believe the shootings stemmed from a domestic dispute.
Uniontown Police Chief Michael Batchik last week said Jason Dunham’s handgun was used in the shooting, but it wasn’t immediately clear who fired the shots. He had said both adults had permits to carry concealed weapons.
Jason, 46, his wife Melissa, 42, and their children Renee, 15, Amber, 12, and Evan, 9, were found dead in their Carnation Avenue NW home Thursday night after Uniontown police were asked to make a welfare check on Melissa because a coworker had not heard from her in two days.
A family obituary posted online by the Hopkins Lawver Funeral Home does not mention Jason Dunham, whose LinkedIn profile said he worked in sales and business development at POS Highway in Hartville.
Background:Family of 5, including 3 kids, found dead in Ohio home with gunshot wounds: What to know
The tribute notes that youngest child Evan enjoyed Legos, baseball, video games, reading and could solve a Rubik’s Cube in two minutes.
It says Renee belonged to her school’s marching and jazz bands and the Lake YMCA Titans. She loved reading, video games and drawing.
Amber was remembered as belonging to her school’s band and cross country team and the Lake YMCA Titans. She loved sequins, glitter, sparkles, creating fashion and baking.
All three children attended Lake Local Schools and were involved in scouting.
“All three loved anything that included their family and animals,” the obituary said.
Melissa, a partner at Fairlawn-based accounting firm Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co., was remembered in the obituary as a member of the Girl Scouts of North East Ohio and the Cleveland Tax Club. She was the recipient of the Greater Akron Chamber 30 for the Future Award, as well as the Women of Professional Excellence Award.
“She enjoyed walking her dogs and staying active, and was dedicated to her family and community service,” the tribute said.
They are survived by Melissa’s parents, Tim and Bonnie Murphy, Melissa’s sister, Valerie Murphy-Daugherty and her husband Bryan.
A memorial service for the Dunham family will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday at Evermore Community Church, 1470 Smith Kramer St. NE, Lake Township.
The service will be livestreamed at evermorecc.org/livestream and the Evermore Community Church Facebook page. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of the Dunham family may be made to Boy Scouts of Northeast Ohio (donations.scouting.org), Girl Scouts of North East Ohio (gsneo.org/donate), Lake Community Swim (ymcastarkcounty.sgasoftware.com) or Love Our Community (loveourcommunity.net). There is no official GoFundMe page.
Anyone in need of a place to pray about or process the loss of the Dunham family is being invited to visit the bench seating area and Little Free Library that Melissa, Renee and Amber helped to create with their Girl Scout troop in 2022. It is located at the corner of Sunnyside Street and Milan Avenue SW in Hartville, in the front yard of RiverTree Lake church.
Lake Township area nonprofit organization Love Our Community has established an account at Consumers National Bank for the Murphy family. Cash is being accepted, along with checks payable to Love Our Community. Donors are asked to note in the memo line that the donation is for the Murphy family.
Reach Nancy at 330-580-8382 or nancy.molnar@cantonrep.com.
On X, formerly known as Twitter: @nmolnarTR.
Where to get help
Need help? The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline is available to all Ohioans (and beyond) 24/7/365: https://988lifeline.org/. The following resources also are available any time of day:
· Stark County Crisis Hotline: 330-452-6000
· Crisis Text Line, text ‘4hope’ to 741-741
· Trevor Project Lifeline for LGBTQ youth: 866-488-7386
· Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
· Military & Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1
· Military & Veterans Crisis Text Line: 838255
· CommQuest Detox at Aultman Hospital: 330-830-3393
Learn how to make your home a “Safe Home” by removing unnecessary risks for substance abuse and suicide at starkmhar.org/prevention-resources/safe-home.
