Ohio women’s families frustrated by unsolved cases

FAIRFIELD, Ohio (AP) - Families of two southwest Ohio women are increasingly frustrated about the lack of charges in their slayings.

Two years have passed since 15-year-old Chelsea Johnson was found stabbed to death in a creek bed in the northern Cincinnati suburb of Fairfield. And August will mark three years since Katelyn Markham went missing from her Fairfield home. Skeletal remains of her were found near an Indiana creek last year.

The Cincinnati Enquirer reported in Sunday’s editions (https://cin.ci/1iRZf1E ) that parents and other relatives say they want to see some results from investigators.

“It gets more and more frustrating every day,” David Markham, Katelyn’s father, said. “It’s hard not to say that they haven’t done enough. I’d like to see some results.”

Johnson’s grandfather Phil Johnson said the family decided it had enough after it appeared the case was headed to a grand jury, but authorities then said they needed more evidence.

“They say they are so close to making an arrest and naming the perpetrator,” he said. “But then the prosecution office says, ’No, you’re not.’ We got tired of finger-pointing going back and forth, back and forth.”

The Butler County sheriff’s office agreed last week to review the case after family requests. Chelsea’s mother Vicky Fible last month staged a protest on the courthouse steps to call for more action on the case.

Fairfield police say they are working with the sheriff’s investigators. They also are assisting Indiana State Police in the Markham case. The Indiana police took the lead after the remains found were identified as Markham’s, but authorities aren’t sure how and where she was killed.

Fairfield Police Chief Michael Dickey said he understands family impatience, but said investigators want to complete the case, not just make an arrest.

“The issue we go through is beginning with the end in mind,” Dickey said. “We look for the conviction.”

Mayor Steve Miller said the community grieves with the families. He also said he has confidence in the police department.