Tucked away from the lights of the big cities, on the out skirts of a village that still prides itself on the hometown feel of it's American Legion being doors down from the popular local pizza parlor on Main Street; something happened.
Although the little town has grown in popularity over the years due to the crowds that gather annually for it's famous Country Concert in the Hills- it wasn't the name of one of the many country music stars that filled the headlines of newspapers throughout the state:
Victoria M. Eilerman, was 84 or 86 (the age varies depending on the source) and had lived in her home alone since the death of her husband in December of 2004. Friends and neighbors described her as being a "very active" woman, who always waved and smiled whenever she was outside. A kind woman, who loved her family, and loved playing cards. And, like many in the area- she often failed to see the need to lock the doors to her home.
It had always been a rather safe place to live, few would ever think that something violent could happen in the area. Until last Thursday.
The house at 7990 State Route 705 showed signs of a disturbance- with a trail of blood leading out of the single story ranch home, but there was no sign of Victoria when police showed up to investigate calls made to 911. The first call had alerted them to a possible intruder in the house.
Depending upon different reports, there were up to three phone calls made concerning the violent crime that had occured- but regardless of the total amount of calls, one thing seems clear- the calls were coming from Victoria's cell phone while she was locked in the trunk her captor's car. LE was able to hear her on the calls, but were unable to respond back. Police say that because her cell phone lacked GPS, they were unable to track her location.
With few details to go on, and no clear place to begin searching for Victoria, police began requesting information on a vehicle described as a older-model black sports-type vehicle such as a Camaro or Trans Am with a white man inside. They believed the car had been in the area of Victoria's home between noon and 2pm on Thursday.
As law enforcement franticly looked for both Victoria, and any signs that might have led them to her safe recovery, her capturer was in a frantic attempt to hide his crimes.
Chris L. Harris, of Sydney Ohio must have been shocked when he came face to face with the older lady standing in the house he was attempting to rob. He probably hadn't prepared for the chance of being spotted, hadn't put thought into what he'd do if someone had walked in on him. No one can say what really ran through his mind as he stood looking at Victoria- but there is little doubt to what he did.
Police say that Harris abducted Victoria, locking her in his trunk, and after taking her to his home, he drove her to a remote location. After his vehicle became stuck in mud, he covered her with branches and walked to the home of a relative for the night. The following day, he returned to the area with a new vehicle, this time moving Victoria to yet another location.
Harris broke into Victoria's home, he beat her, abducted her, raped her, killed her, and then attempted to hide her body. After the first attempt proved faulty because of his car being stuck- he went a step farther and dumped her lifeless body off in another place, with no regard to the life he had just stolen.
In exchange for telling officers where he finally left her, Shelby County Prosecutor Ralph Bauer agreed not to seek the death penalty against Harris.
Even at 86 (84 by some reports) Victoria still had life left in her, she had children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. She loved them, and they her. Her life was stolen from her, just as she was stolen from those who cherished her- by someone not deserving of the mandatory appeals he could have had, had he been facing the death penalty for this horrific crime.
*New* Guilty Plea Expected, Harris' past criminal history revealed.
Man denied bond in woman's kidnap, murder
The Daily Standard
Dayton Daily News
WHIO TV
Dayton Daily [2]
The Lima News
Although the little town has grown in popularity over the years due to the crowds that gather annually for it's famous Country Concert in the Hills- it wasn't the name of one of the many country music stars that filled the headlines of newspapers throughout the state:
Source- Fort Loramie, OH, violent crime, on a scale from 1 (low crime) to 10, is 1. Violent crime is composed of four offenses: murder and nonnegligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The US average is 3.
Fort Loramie, OH, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 1. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
No, this time Fort Loramie, the little village in Shelby County perfectly located in the beauty of southern Ohio and barely populated with under 500 households, would be the center of attention after what most would consider the most heinous of crimes in most people's memories.Fort Loramie, OH, property crime, on a scale from 1 (low) to 10, is 1. Property crime includes the offenses of burglary, larceny-theft, motor vehicle theft, and arson. The object of the theft-type offenses is the taking of money or property, but there is no force or threat of force against the victims. The US average is 3.
Victoria M. Eilerman, was 84 or 86 (the age varies depending on the source) and had lived in her home alone since the death of her husband in December of 2004. Friends and neighbors described her as being a "very active" woman, who always waved and smiled whenever she was outside. A kind woman, who loved her family, and loved playing cards. And, like many in the area- she often failed to see the need to lock the doors to her home.
It had always been a rather safe place to live, few would ever think that something violent could happen in the area. Until last Thursday.
The house at 7990 State Route 705 showed signs of a disturbance- with a trail of blood leading out of the single story ranch home, but there was no sign of Victoria when police showed up to investigate calls made to 911. The first call had alerted them to a possible intruder in the house.
Depending upon different reports, there were up to three phone calls made concerning the violent crime that had occured- but regardless of the total amount of calls, one thing seems clear- the calls were coming from Victoria's cell phone while she was locked in the trunk her captor's car. LE was able to hear her on the calls, but were unable to respond back. Police say that because her cell phone lacked GPS, they were unable to track her location.
With few details to go on, and no clear place to begin searching for Victoria, police began requesting information on a vehicle described as a older-model black sports-type vehicle such as a Camaro or Trans Am with a white man inside. They believed the car had been in the area of Victoria's home between noon and 2pm on Thursday.
"She did not go willingly," O'Leary said Thursday night. "We do not believe robbery was the motive, but we do not want to confirm or speculate on a motive. The house seemed undisturbed of items of any value. There was no forced entry."
He called it an abduction "for other reasons" because he and his investigators are speculating that someone may have knocked on Eilerman's door and surprised her.
The person, "not knowing what to do with her," abducted her, said O'Leary.
As law enforcement franticly looked for both Victoria, and any signs that might have led them to her safe recovery, her capturer was in a frantic attempt to hide his crimes.
Chris L. Harris, of Sydney Ohio must have been shocked when he came face to face with the older lady standing in the house he was attempting to rob. He probably hadn't prepared for the chance of being spotted, hadn't put thought into what he'd do if someone had walked in on him. No one can say what really ran through his mind as he stood looking at Victoria- but there is little doubt to what he did.
Police say that Harris abducted Victoria, locking her in his trunk, and after taking her to his home, he drove her to a remote location. After his vehicle became stuck in mud, he covered her with branches and walked to the home of a relative for the night. The following day, he returned to the area with a new vehicle, this time moving Victoria to yet another location.
Chris L. Harris, 32, was arrested Friday afternoon at his Sidney home after the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office received anonymous tips that he should be considered a suspect in the disappearance of Victoria M. Eilerman, who had been abducted Thursday from her Fort Loramie Home, according to Sheriff Kevin O’Leary.
Deputies spent much of Thursday and Friday searching for Eilerman, who had been abducted from her home early Thursday afternoon. A second anonymous source lead them to a 1993 Chevy Corsica that was stuck in the mud near a Fort Loramie woods. The car belonged to Harris’ girlfriend, according to the Sheriff’s Office.
Officers eventually discovered blood near the car and concluded that it was the location where Eilerman had been killed. But her body was no longer there.
After his arrest, Harris told police he entered Eilerman’s house to steal at about 12:30 p.m. Thursday and was surprised by the victim. He reportedly abducted her and drove her to his Sidney home, where he raped her, the Sheriff’s office release said. He then took her to Lochard Road woods, near Fort Loramie, where he reportedly killed her by striking her in the back of the head and then covered the body with branches.
While attempting to leave the scene Thursday night, Harris got his car stuck in the mud, He walked to his brother’s home nearby and got a ride home, the release said. O’Leary said the brother did not appear to know about the murder.
Friday morning, Harris reportedly returned to the woods and attempted to hide Eilerman’s body.
“Mr. Harris drove around trying to find a place to leave her body knowing his vehicle was still stuck on Lochard Road.” according to the release.
Harris eventually dropped Eilerman’s body off a long lane winding toward a set of railroad tracks along River Road, where it was retrieved by deputies late Friday night.
Harris broke into Victoria's home, he beat her, abducted her, raped her, killed her, and then attempted to hide her body. After the first attempt proved faulty because of his car being stuck- he went a step farther and dumped her lifeless body off in another place, with no regard to the life he had just stolen.
In exchange for telling officers where he finally left her, Shelby County Prosecutor Ralph Bauer agreed not to seek the death penalty against Harris.
Even at 86 (84 by some reports) Victoria still had life left in her, she had children, grandchildren, friends and neighbors. She loved them, and they her. Her life was stolen from her, just as she was stolen from those who cherished her- by someone not deserving of the mandatory appeals he could have had, had he been facing the death penalty for this horrific crime.
*New* Guilty Plea Expected, Harris' past criminal history revealed.
Man denied bond in woman's kidnap, murder
The Daily Standard
Dayton Daily News
WHIO TV
Dayton Daily [2]
The Lima News