David Kromer Found Dead at Ohio Resort

November 11, 2009

Authorities in Ohio discovered the body of 56-year-old David L. "Jody" Kromer at a Vermilion Township resort this afternoon. According to officials with the Erie County Sheriff’s Office, it appeared Kromer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Kromer was wanted in connection with the kidnapping and murder of 58-year-old Carla Westhofen, a woman whose body was found dumped in a Pennsylvania field last weekend.

"Instead of causing more harm to other people, I’m glad he did it to himself," Carla's son, Todd Dahnke, told morningjournal.com. "It sounds morbid to say, but this is probably the best news we’ve had in a week."

Related Link:
Body of Missing Ohio Woman Found in Rural Pennsylvania Field

Photo Credit: Police file photo

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Body of Missing Ohio Woman Found in Rural Pennsylvania Field

November 09, 2009

The body of a missing Ohio woman that had been dumped in a Pennsylvania field was found this past weekend, sparking a nationwide manhunt for the woman's alleged killer.

According to officials with the Pennsylvania State Police, the body was found Saturday afternoon near Platz and Sterrettania roads in Erie County, Pa. Police say a local resident made the discovery when he went to inspect debris that someone had dumped the day before in a field near his house. Upon further inspection, the man discovered the body wrapped up inside a rug.

Jack Daneri, district attorney for Erie County, told the Erie Times News that the victim had a "number of wounds" that appeared to have been caused by a "sharp force instrument." As a result, the cause of death was listed as "suspicious."

State police, with assistance from the Erie County Sheriff's office, worked over the weekend to identify the victim as Carla Westhofen, 58, of Sandusky, Ohio. Carla was last seen by friends on the night of Nov. 5. Family members reported her missing the following day when she failed to show up for a scheduled appointment. A check of Carla's house found that her vehicle was missing, and calls to her cell phone went unanswered.

Authorities are now searching for Carla's former boyfriend, David L. "Jody" Kromer, 56, of Margaretta Township, Ohio.

"After they broke up, it didn't go well," Carla's son, Todd Dahnke, told morningjournal.com. "She felt at risk, so she got the protection order. There had been issues previously while they were dating. I thought he could be aggressive, based on things I had seen."

According to Erie County Sheriff's Capt. Paul Sigsworth, Kromer was recently released from jail after bonding out on charges that he had violated the protection order by sending Carla a letter.

Authorities are not commenting on what, if any, evidence they have connecting Kromer to Carla's death; however, they have issued warrants for his arrest on charges of murder and kidnapping.

The Erie County Coroner's Office is conducting an autopsy on Carla's body today to determine exactly how she died. Meanwhile, authorities in several states, in conjunction with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, are actively seeking Kromer, whom they describe as armed and dangerous.

David Kromer is described as 6' 1" tall, weighing 210 pounds, with blond hair and blue eyes. He is possibly driving a blue 2000 Jeep Cherokee with Ohio license plate DQW 3569 or Carla Westhofen's tan 2002 GMC Envoy with Ohio license plate AXS 6883.

Anyone with information about this case is asked to call the Erie County Sheriff's office at 419-625-7951.

Photo Credits: Crime Scene: David Lohr; Carla Westhofen: Police file photo; David Kromer: Police file photo

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Leah Freeman's Mother Asks for Cold Case Team

October 29, 2009

In the past, Cory Courtright celebrated her daughter Leah Freeman's birthday on October 29. Unfortunately, there have been no parties in recent years. Instead of celebrating Leah's 25th birthday, Cory is busy seeking justice in her daughter's murder.

Leah was just 15 years old when, on June 29, 2000, she went for a walk near her home in Coquille, Ore. What happened to her during that walk remains unclear; however, on Aug. 3, 2000, her fate became all too clear when her body was found in a wooded area roughly eight miles from Coquille. An autopsy revealed that Leah had died as a result of "homicidal violence."

Fast forward nearly a decade, and Leah's murder remains unsolved. Waiting such a long time for an answer would discourage most people, but Cory Courtright is determined to see justice prevail and is asking local officials for help.

"I am simply asking Coos County District Attorney Paul Frasier to dedicate a cold case team to re-investigate Leah's murder," Cory said. "I don't feel like the agencies handling the case have ever been in sync, and with all of the personnel changes at the Coquille Police Department, I fear that crucial details of the investigation could very well have fallen through the cracks."

Cory says that the police were initially conducting a very active investigation into her daughter's case, but it seemed to cool down quickly, and she has received very few updates on the case in recent years.

According to the Coos County District Attorney's Office, the case is considered "cold," but investigators remain active, following up on all tips that they receive.

"They need to do more than follow-up on tips," Cory said. "They need to have a dedicated team go back and look through all of the files again, re-interview everyone involved, and re-examine all of the evidence."

There is no word yet on whether the Coquille Police Department will consider forming a cold case squad to reinvestigate Leah's murder.

Anyone with information regarding this case is asked to contact the Coquille Police Department at (541) 396-2114 or Coos Stop Crime at (541) 267-6666. Leah Freeman's family is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction of those responsible for her murder.

For more information, please visit: www.leahfreeman.com.

Photo Credit: Contributed