LATEST UPDATE: Wilmington woman’s death suspected homicide; police seek local person of interest

0

HIGHLAND CO. — Roughly eight hours may have passed before a woman who had been shot in the chest was taken to a hospital in Greenfield where she died early Tuesday morning, according to an investigator, and police are still seeking a person of interest.

Police are seeking James Carver, a 40-year-old man described as having facial tattoos last known to be living in the New Vienna area, according to a joint press release from Greenfield Police Chief Jeremiah Oyer and Highland County Sheriff Donnie Barrera issued Wednesday morning.

The victim, who officials said died from a gunshot wound to the chest at Adena Greenfield Medical Center early Tuesday morning, was identified by Highland County Coroner Jeff Beery as Heather Camp, 33, of Wilmington.

One of Beery’s investigators, Dr. Jim McKown, said Wednesday afternoon that it is believed Camp was shot at approximately 10 p.m. Monday, then taken to the Greenfield hospital by an acquaintance at about 6 a.m. the following morning, where she later died from her wound.

McKown said investigators believe Camp was shot by her boyfriend. Numerous Facebook posts Tuesday and Thursday indicated Camp and Carver were a couple.

McKown, who conducted the initial examination for the coroner’s office, said the body had facial bruising indicating physical trauma from five to six days previous until the day of her death.

“There was evidence of a good bit of trauma to this girl,” the doctor said. “It was really sad.”

Police continued to seek Carver throughout the day Tuesday. According to the release, Carver was believed to be driving a black 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer with Ohio registration HKQ 5486.

Carver has a lengthy criminal record, having been convicted of offenses in Clinton County and Highland County courts, according to online court records.

The incident captured the attention of hundreds on social media Tuesday and Wednesday as family members and friends took to Facebook to mourn Camp’s passing and, in some cases, threaten retribution.

A Facebook account under the name James Carver shows photos of a man appearing to be in his 30s or 40s with facial tattoos, but all other posts are private. One photo shows a logo containing a swastika, skull and guns, as well as the text, “Aryan Strikeforce Combat 18.”

Numerous Facebook users posted photos from that account identifying the man as the person of interest in the murder, but police declined to identify him by photo to The Times-Gazette.

Court records show Carver has spent time incarcerated for offenses including aggravated assault, attempted abduction, domestic violence, receiving stolen property, disorderly conduct, assault and endangering children.

Carver allegedly failed to appear for a scheduled Feb. 1, 2019 Clinton County Municipal Court appearance for a charge of endangering children, according to court records.

The release said that the Greenfield Police Department was working with the sheriff’s office to investigate the case and “talking with witnesses and hospital staff.”

McKown said he sent the body to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for forensics after the circumstances surrounding Camp’s death were deemed suspicious.

Asked for further information Wednesday afternoon, Oyer declined to comment.

No further information was immediately available.

Anyone with information on the death is urged to contact the Highland County Sheriff’s Office at 937-393-1421, Greenfield Police Department at 937-981-7777, the Highland County Coroner’s Office at 937-393-6633, or for anonymous tips, call or text TIP411.

As of Wednesday, funeral services for Heather Camp were pending at Fisher-Edgington Funeral Home in Wilmington. A Facebook account was established to raise funds for funeral expenses.

The Wilmington News Journal staff contributed to this story.

Shown is a Facebook photo of Heather Camp, identified by Highland County Coroner’s Investigator Dr. Jim McKown as the woman who died from a gunshot wound Tuesday morning in Greenfield.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/02/web1_f-heather-camp-4.jpgShown is a Facebook photo of Heather Camp, identified by Highland County Coroner’s Investigator Dr. Jim McKown as the woman who died from a gunshot wound Tuesday morning in Greenfield. Facebook photo
Police: Clinton Co. man a person of interest

By David Wright

[email protected]

No posts to display