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Glouster man implicated in father’s death
By: Joe Higgins | Athens Messenger
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A Glouster man is in jail and may be the prime suspect in the death of his father. Paul J. Roberts, 40, of 68 Locust Street in Glouster, is being held in the Southeastern Ohio Regional Jail under a $10,000 bond. Law enforcement personnel believe they have found the body of Paul E. Roberts, 63, in a well under the porch of the Locust Street home.
According to Athens County Prosecutor Keller Blackburn, the Athens County Coroner’s Office has presumed the body to be that of the elder Roberts, who was last seen more than two weeks ago.
Blackburn told The Messenger that in addition to Paul J. Roberts, two other people — Ronda Degarmore (Paul J. Roberts’ girlfriend) and Bob Degarmore — have been taken into custody as well.
The investigation began Friday evening when the Glouster Police Department responded to the Locust Street address to a report of vandalism. Paul J. Roberts was arrested at the scene.
The next day, officers with the Glouster Police Department, Athens County Prosecutor's Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation started looking for Paul E. Roberts. Search warrants were executed on Saturday and again on Monday and the body was located in the well under the porch of the residence. The Athens Fire Department assisted in retrieving the body from the well.
Blackburn told The Messenger that the body was wrapped although he did not say how. He said an autopsy would be conducted on Tuesday.
Presently, Paul J. Roberts and the Degarmores are charged with low-level felonies that are not directly involved with the death. Blackburn said the investigation currently centers on Roberts as the primary person of interest but that the Degarmores may have been involved with conspiracies after the death.
The prosecutor said the case is still under investigation and will be presented to a future grand jury.