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Investigation Continues In Meigs Motel Murder
By: WOUB Contributing Writer
Posted on:
UPDATE 1:28 p.m.
Three people are facing charges after investigators say a man was murdered at a motel in Pomeroy.
According to the Meigs County Sheriff's Office, Wallace Chafin, 37, of Pomeroy was found dead in the Meigs Motel.
Chafin was a guest at the motel.
Deputies believe the crime happened about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday.
Ryan Cozart of Racine, 32, Ariel Smith of Portland, OH, 22, and Sara Craig, 33, are all being charged in connection with the murder.
Cozart is being charged with murder, and Craig and Smith are both being charged with complicity to commit murder.
According to investigators, Cozart and Craig were arrested about 1:50 a.m. Thursday after returning to the crime scene in the victim's car.
Smith was later found at a home on Durst Road in Portland.
Craig was actually on house arrest for meth charges in Meigs County.
According to investigators, Craig cut her house arrest bracelet off, and left her home.
No information is being released at this time as to how or why Chafin was killed.
Chafin's body has been sent for an autopsy.
UPDATE 10:15 a.m. A homicide investigation is underway following a man’s death at a motel in Pomeroy, OH.
Meigs County Sheriff Keith Wood says deputies were called to the Meigs Motel about 12:15 Thursday morning.
Wood said that two women and a man are in custody. He also says there are several witnesses that say they saw what happened. Those people are currently being interviewed by investigators.
The Sheriff is not releasing the man’s name or how he died, but does say he is not from Meigs County. He is also unable to say at this time if the victim and the three people in custody were guests at the motel. He also believes the man died sometime about 11:30 p.m.
Wood also said that investigators are processing several evidence areas — the motel, several cars and a residence. The area around the motel remains blocked off.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is also on the scene.
Wood says no charges have been filed at this time.
Police say a homicide occurred Wednesday night at the Meigs Motel in Pomeroy.
The Meigs County Sheriff's Office says three suspects are in custody.
The Sheriff's Office and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation say the invetigation is ongoing.
The victim's name isn't being released until family is notified.
No further information is being released at this time.