Shocking Incident Unfolds in Ashtabula: Two Women Withdraw Money from Dead Man’s Account at Bank
In a stunning turn of events, the tight-knit community of Ashtabula, Ohio, finds itself reeling from an ongoing investigation involving two women who allegedly withdrew money from a deceased man’s bank account. The disturbing incident has left residents in disbelief and has sparked an intense flurry of speculation and questions.
Ashtabula City Solicitor Cecilia Cooper expressed her shock at the situation, stating, “It’s a very sad commentary on how desperate these two must have been for whatever reason they were doing this.” With over 30 years of legal practice under her belt, Cooper confessed that she had never encountered or even heard of such a bizarre and unsettling case.
The story unraveled on Monday evening, shortly after 5 p.m., when officers received a call from Ashtabula County Medical Center reporting the arrival of a deceased man. It was not until later that they discovered the body belonged to 80-year-old Douglas Layman. As investigators delved deeper into the circumstances surrounding Layman’s death, they were confronted with a startling revelation.
Lieutenant Mike Palinkas revealed that two women, one of whom had been in a relationship with Layman for approximately 7 to 8 years, had transported his lifeless body to a local bank. There, they withdrew an undisclosed sum of money from his account before finally dropping off his body at the hospital. The other woman had only recently moved in with Layman and had no long-term connection to him.
The motive behind this macabre act remains shrouded in mystery. When questioned by News 5 about why the women chose to visit the bank before taking Layman to the hospital, Palinkas admitted that they did not provide a clear explanation. He stated, “Allegedly, they wanted to pay some bills, but outside of that, there wasn’t a specific motivation provided.”
Authorities wasted no time in taking the two women into custody, charging them with gross abuse of a corpse. As the investigation unfolds, additional charges may be brought forth. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for March 12th at 9:30 a.m.
Throughout this shocking ordeal, it is essential to remember Douglas Layman as more than just the subject of this baffling incident. Cooper emphasized that he “deserves to be remembered and honored as the person he was.” It is a plea to the community to focus on Layman’s life and contributions rather than allowing this disturbing event to overshadow his memory.
The Ashtabula community finds itself grappling with a multitude of questions. How did this situation escalate to such an unimaginable extent? What were the underlying factors that drove these women to commit such an audacious act? The answers remain elusive, leaving residents anxious for updates and closure.
As news outlets around the country continue to follow the story, the Ashtabula community eagerly awaits a resolution. The shocking nature of the incident has captivated the nation’s attention, serving as a stark reminder that even in the quietest of towns, dark and unfathomable events can occur.
