MANSFIELD — Shawn Michael Grate led Mansfield Police and Ohio BCI detectives to two locations in the city Monday night in the latest attempt to solve Rebekah Leicy’s murder.
The findings may assist other agencies in linking Grate with the additional bodies found in Ashland, Richland and Marion counties, Mansfield Police Chief Ken Coontz said.
Detectives were at a North Walnut Street location and Shawn Grate’s previous home on 132 W. Second St. for more than four hours.
Detective Ken Carroll said the search was related to Leicy’s death and authorities were seeking evidence related to the case. He said Mansfield detectives had spoken with Grate earlier that day.
“He’s been very cooperative with us,” Carroll said.
He declined to comment on the specifics of what was found.
Leicy was reported missing in February of 2015 and her body was found in rural Ashland County on March 16, 2015. Her death was ruled a drug overdose at that time by the Cuyahoga County Coroner.
Coontz confirmed Monday that authorities are looking into a connection between Leicy and Grate. Her case was reopened over the weekend.
“He (Grate) gave us the information,” Coontz said Monday, declining to comment on the specific evidence recovered.
However, he described the case as massive — which calls for sharing information.
“Generally, when a case is this huge, all the agencies will get together in the same room to share and discuss information,” he said. “(The Ashland Police Department) is organizing a meeting with all agencies so we can discuss the case.”
Connection to Chillicothe murders?
Marion County Sheriff Tim Bailey said Monday the women authorities are linking to Grate are similar to the women missing in Chillicothe.
“You’ve got to wonder … He (Grate) killed five people and there’s a string of people missing down there (in Chillicothe),” Bailey said.
Detective John Winfield of the Ross County Sheriff’s Department said Monday the detective section has been in contact with someone about Grate’s case. He declined to comment which agency contacted that office.
Calls to the Ashland Police Department and the Richland County Sheriff’s Office were not returned. Coontz said MPD has not been contact with Chillicothe.
“But if we unveil information that would connect Grate with Chillicothe, we would call — immediately,” Coontz added.
Bailey said he has not contacted Chillicothe authorities.
Two years ago, the first of at least five women disappeared from Chillicothe. Three of the six women, Tameka Lynch, 30, whose body was found in May 2014; Shasta Himelrick, 20, whose body was found in January 2015; and Tiffany Sayre, 26, whose body was found June 20 wrapped in a sheet, were discovered near waterways.
Two women are still missing and the others are listed as open investigations.
