Crime may be linked to double murder

CELINA, Ohio (WDTN) - A weekend home invasion may be linked to a brutal double murder, according to the Mercer County Sheriff.

Forty-seven-year-old Kathy Fair and her 79-year-old father William Fair were robbed at gunpoint after answering a knock on the door at their Dutton Road home just after midnight on Saturday.  The pair suffered some scrapes but were otherwise okay.

Sheriff Jeff Grey says there are multiple similarities between that crime and the home invasion near Fort Recovery that left 47-year-old Colleen Grube and her 70-year-old father Robert Grube dead, including the use of duct tape, the involvement of a male and female suspect, the age and relationship of the victims and the vehicle the suspects were said to be driving.

But deputies can't say for certain the crimes were done by the same people.

In the latest home invasion one suspect is described as a stocky male, shorter than 5'7" and under 40 years of age. He is said to have reddish-blonde hair.

A second male suspect was wearing a mask but is described as being taller and possibly having a nose or mouth piercing.

The third suspect also had on a mask but is thought to be a female based on the sound of her voice. She is described as very short and skinny.

The three left in a dark colored, "boxy" SUV with a loud exhaust. The same type of vehicle was seen in the area of the Grube's home before they were killed.

"We've always opened the door and always got help for people, now I don't think it's a good idea to do that," Grey says.

That's why a place where you're liable to get more friendly waves than locked doors is now giving a lot more suspicious looks.

"Everybody's worried," says Jeremy Sturwold, who lives near the Fair's.  "I hear a car drive by, I stand in my window and see where they're going. I shouldn't have to do that especially out here."

Deputies say they still lean toward the Grube homicides not being random killings, but they tell 2 NEWS they can't rule out the possibility the Grube's didn't know their killers.

In the months since the double homicide, deputies say they've taken 80 tips, filed 76 subpoenas, and traveled to 12 counties in Ohio and Indiana to follow up on leads.

If you know anything, call the Mercer County Sheriff at 567-890-8477.