Daisy Evelyn Shelton : Ohio Authorities Close Case of 1964 Woman Dismembered in Gravel Pit

Accident – Death – Obituary News : : 1. Ohio cold case solved dismembered woman 1964
2. Gravel pit canal channel murder Ohio 1964

In June 1964, a fisherman discovered a severed human arm in a gravel pit near Tipp City, followed by the discovery of a dismembered human torso in a burlap bag in the old Miami Erie canal four days later. The remains were identified as Daisy Evelyn Shelton, a 43-year-old woman from Dayton. The case remained unsolved until 2017 when a witness confessed to seeing Shelton being killed with a hammer at a Dayton home. The suspect, who lived on the same street as Shelton, admitted to knowing her and potentially being involved in her murder. Despite the challenges of cold-case homicides, authorities emphasized the importance of revisiting cases to bring closure to victims’ families.

The Gruesome Discovery in Tipp City

Back in June of 1964, a peaceful day of fishing turned into a nightmare for two fishermen in Tipp City, just east of Dayton. As they cast their lines into the tranquil waters of a gravel pit and the old Miami Erie canal, they made a horrifying discovery that would shake the small community to its core.

A Chilling Find

The first fisherman pulled a severed human arm from the gravel pit, sending shock waves through the area. Four days later, another fisherman stumbled upon a burlap bag in the canal, containing a dismembered human torso. As if that wasn’t gruesome enough, a head and leg were later found in the canal, painting a macabre picture of unspeakable violence.

The Victim’s Identity

Authorities eventually identified the remains as those of 43-year-old Daisy Evelyn Shelton from Dayton. The case seemed destined to remain unsolved, with no leads or suspects, until a surprising development in 2017 breathed new life into the investigation.

A Startling Confession

A witness, who believed he was on his deathbed in a hospital, confessed to a nurse about what he had seen all those years ago. He claimed to have witnessed Shelton being brutally attacked and killed with a hammer at a home in Dayton. The witness described how her body was dismembered and then discarded in bodies of water in and around Tipp City.

The Suspect’s Denial

The person named as the suspect initially denied knowing Shelton, despite living on the same street and working for the same employer. However, under pressure from detectives, he reluctantly admitted to knowing the victim. He claimed that the eyewitness was framing him and insisted that he was innocent.

A Tragic Turn of Events

Despite the suspect’s claims of innocence, he confessed that a box from his house was used to carry Shelton’s remains, and he acknowledged that she may have been killed at his home. The case took a tragic turn when the witness died before the trial could take place, and the suspect passed away in 2022 at the age of ninety-two.

Seeking Justice

The county sheriff’s office highlighted the challenges of cold-case homicides, emphasizing the importance of revisiting cases to bring closure to the victim’s family. While the truth may have been buried for decades, the pursuit of justice continues to be a vital mission for law enforcement officials in the area.