Knox County, Ohio Murders: Grand Jury Indicts Hoffman on 10 Counts
In a report found at NBC-4 Columbus, Hoffman, 30, will not face the death penalty for the murders and dismemberment of Tina Herrmann, her son Kody Maynard and Stephanie Sprang. Hoffman was also indicted for the kidnapping and rape of Herrmann's 13-year old daughter Sarah Maynard.
Hoffman was indicted on three counts of aggravated murder for willfully causing the deaths of Herrmann, Maynard and Sprang during the course of an aggravated burglary at Herrmann's Apple Valley home in Knox County. Other charges include three counts of gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. The tampering charge alleges that Hoffman removed clothing and bedding from the scene of the crime to hinder the investigation.
Sarah Maynard was rescued from Hoffman's Columbus Road home in Mount Vernon on Sunday November 14. Hoffman has been charged with kidnapping and one count of rape alleging he forced Sarah into a sexual act once at his home during the days she was held captive.
On November 11, a co-worker of Tina Herrmann's went to her home after she had missed work for two days and found blood inside the residence. Law enforcement began its investigation and hundreds of volunteers turned out to search for Herrmann, her two children and family friend Stephanie Sprang.
One week later, on November 18, Matthew Hoffman gave investigators the necessary information that led to the recovery of the remains of Tina Herrmann, Kody Maynard and Stephanie Sprang in a hollow tree in the Kokosing Wildlife Preserve near Fredericktown, Ohio. The bodies had been dismembered and placed in garbage bags in the tree along with the family dog.
Knox County Prosecutor John Thatcher stated that the indictments do not include death penalty specifications due to the wishes of the victims' families. Hoffman is expected to be arraigned in Knox County Common Pleas Court later this week and Thatcher will give more information at that time regarding the decision to not pursue the death penalty.
Sources: NBC-4 Columbus , Sarah Maynard is "Epitome of Bravery" , Three Bodies Located: Questions Still Remain in Knox County, Ohio
Published by Debbie Henthorn - Featured Contributor in Business & Finance and Lifestyle
Debbie has been blessed with an incurable wanderlust. Former jobs included extensive travel throughout the United States, making it possible for this self-proclaimed "food/beer/wine geek" to taste the countr... View profile
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3 Comments
Post a CommentToo gruesome for words. Great reporting.
This is such a tragic and heart-breaking story. I wept when my wife and I heard they had found the bodies of these people. Unfathomable.
Good Job Debbie. I have a Grandson in Howard. Hoffman deserves the death penalty. The sad part about it is, we here in Ohio will have to pay for this piece of trash for the next 20 years.