5 Shocking True Crime Cases That Shook Ohio to Its Core

Ohio may be known as the Buckeye State, but it has also been the site of some shocking and disturbing true crime cases over the years. From brutal murders to high-profile kidnappings, here are five cases that shook Ohio to its core.

1. The Cleveland Torso Murders In the 1930s, a series of gruesome murders occurred in Cleveland that would later become known as the Torso Murders. The killer, who was never caught, would dismember and decapitate his victims, leaving their remains scattered throughout the city. The case remains unsolved to this day, and the killer’s identity is still a mystery.
2. Ariel Castro Kidnappings In 2013, three women who had been missing for over a decade were found alive in the Cleveland home of Ariel Castro. Castro had abducted the women, Amanda Berry, Gina DeJesus, and Michelle Knight, and kept them captive in his home, subjecting them to horrific abuse and torture. Castro was later sentenced to life in prison but committed suicide in his cell before serving out his sentence.
3. The Rhoden Family Murders In 2016, eight members of the Rhoden family were brutally murdered in their homes in Pike County, Ohio. The case garnered national attention due to its sheer brutality and the fact that no suspects had been identified for months. Eventually, four members of another family were arrested and charged with the murders, but the case is still ongoing.
4. The Cincinnati Strangler In the late 1960s, a serial killer dubbed the Cincinnati Strangler terrorized the city, murdering at least seven women. The killer, who was never caught, would strangle his victims and leave their bodies in abandoned buildings around the city. Despite multiple suspects and leads over the years, the case remains unsolved.
5. The Steubenville Rape Case In 2012, two high school football players in Steubenville, Ohio were charged with the rape of a 16-year-old girl at a party. The case made national headlines due to the role of social media in the investigation and trial, as well as the fact that some members of the community rallied around the perpetrators, rather than the victim. The case led to changes in Ohio law regarding the handling of sexual assault cases.

These are just a few of the high-profile true crime cases that have occurred in Ohio over the years. While justice may have been served in some cases, others remain unsolved mysteries that continue to haunt the state to this day.