On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, authorities in Tuscarawas County, Ohio, discovered three individuals deceased from apparent gunshot wounds inside a residence on North Cherry Street in Gnadenhutten. On Thursday, October 22, the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office formally identified the deceased as 51-year-old Melissa E. Campbell, 67-year-old Gale F. Sanders, and 22-month-old Kozzar J. Lotut. The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office is conducting a murder-suicide investigation.
Discovery and Emergency Response
On Wednesday, October 21, 2026, deputies with the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office responded to trace a mysterious 911 call after dispatch received a hang-up with a voice quietly requesting assistance.
After investigating potential locations associated with the phone line, deputies arrived at a residence in the 200 block of North Cherry Street in Gnadenhutten. A family member unlocked the home to allow entry, where deputies discovered three individuals unresponsive inside the dwelling with apparent gunshot wounds.
Identification and Medical Evaluation
On Thursday, October 22, 2026, the Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office officially identified the deceased individuals as Melissa E. Campbell, 51; Gale F. Sanders, 67; and Kozzar J. Lotut, aged 22 months. Campbell and Sanders were the grandparents of the young child and frequently assisted in his care.
All three bodies were transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for comprehensive autopsies to establish official causes and manners of death. First responders and coroners at the scene noted a firearm recovered near one of the deceased.
Investigative Status and Community Impact
Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell stated that physical evidence collected at the scene and initial findings suggest the incident was a domestic double murder-suicide, noting that evidence points toward one specific person inside as the shooter. Authorities emphasized that pending forensic testing and interviews will be completed before making a final public determination.
Sheriff Campbell assured the public that there is no ongoing threat to the community. Local officials and emergency personnel expressed profound grief over the loss of life, offering support to surviving family members as the close-knit Gnadenhutten community navigates this tragedy.
