5 dead, including 3 kids, in Lake Township shooting; police suspect murder-suicide
LAKE TWP. – A coworker was concerned when she hadn't heard from Melissa Dunham in two days.
She asked authorities to check on her. When Uniontown police officers arrived at the Dunham home Thursday night, they found packages at the front door, accumulated mail in the box and all of the family's vehicles at the residence.
Police entered the Carnation Avenue NW residence with a neighbor's help and made a gruesome discovery inside.
They found Melissa and Jason Dunham and their three children dead in their bedrooms from an apparent homicide-suicide, the Uniontown Police Department said.
All died from multiple gunshot wounds, according to Harry Campbell, chief investigator of the Stark County Coroner's Office. He said they were pronounced dead at 9:52 p.m.
He identified them as Jason, 46, Melissa 42, and their children Renee, 15, Amber, 12, and Evan, 9.
Officers believe the incident was a domestic dispute that became deadly. It is being investigated as a quadruple homicide-suicide.
No other people were believed to be involved.
Uniontown Police Chief Michael Batchik said Jason Dunham's handgun was used in the shooting, but it was not known as of Friday afternoon who fired the shots. He said both adults had permits to carry concealed weapons.
"For me, this is the worst one I've ever been involved with in 23 years in law enforcement, and I've spent all 23 years out here in Uniontown," Batchik said.
Uniontown police had no reports or records of previously responding to the Dunhams' address, according to a dispatcher.
The Ohio Attorney General's Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called Thursday night to help collect and document evidence. BCI spokesman Steve Irwin said updates will be provided through the Uniontown Police Department, which covers a portion of Lake Township.
Who was Melissa Dunham?
According to LinkedIn, Melissa Dunham was a partner at Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co., an accounting firm based in Fairlawn. The firm announced in June that she had been appointed as a new partner.
She specialized in corporate tax returns, according to the firm's site.
Melissa Dunham had received many accolades, including a Woman of Professional Excellence award presented by the Women’s Network and the 30 For the Future Award from the Greater Akron Chamber in 2019.
In a YouTube video from the chamber, she talked about her love for the Greater Akron community.
“It’s a wonderful community to raise our children," she said. "I love being a part of community support services and the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio. And the school districts are amazing. They challenge my children. And it’s a great place to live, thrive and there’s many opportunities in this small community.”
She was involved with the Girl Scouts and said her daughters were learning to be risk-takers and leaders while in the organization.
"I really enjoy working with young women and little girls to be the best that they can be,” she said.
In the video, Melissa Dunham also mentioned that her family loved to go camping and that something people might not know about her is that she was certified to teach archery.
"We are devastated by the shocking and tragic news of the deaths of Melissa Dunham and her family," Bober Markey Fedorovich Chief Operating Officer Sara M. Martin said in a prepared statement. "Melissa was an esteemed member of the BMF leadership team and a close friend to many of our associates. Melissa's contributions during her 18 years with our firm have been immeasurable.
"Our thoughts are with Melissa's family and friends as we grapple with this heart-wrenching loss. During this difficult time, we are committed to supporting our employees by providing counseling and any necessary assistance. Melissa's legacy will forever be etched into the fabric of our BMF community."
Elizabeth Bartz, CEO of Akron-based State and Federal Communications, had known Melissa Dunham for at least 10 to 15 years as Bober Markey Fedorovich handled its accounting. Melissa Dunham was her main contact.
Bartz said she was devastated by the news.
“She’s a great Girl Scouts mom. She would always have her daughters send me their cookie order forms. They would deliver them in person and write me thank you notes,” Bartz said.
Jason Dunham's LinkedIn profile says he worked in sales and business development at POS Highway in Hartville. The company provides point-of-sale systems for businesses.
Neighbors recall Jason and Melissa Dunham family
Next-door neighbors have fond memories of the couple and their children.
Edmond Gazdacko said the couple moved in 18 years ago before they had children. He and his wife Denise got along with their neighbors and never had any issues with them.
“We’ve watched all three of the kids grow up. We’ve always enjoyed them," he said. "We’ve just never had any issues. We’ve been blessed to have great neighbors all the way around. It’s a really tough situation for us.”
He recalled seeing Jason Dunham smoking meat or grilling on the back deck of the family’s split level home.
Edmond Gazdacko was the first person inside the house after police arrived Thursday. He said he asked to enter first because the Dunhams' dogs, Tank and Bader, would obey him.
He said the children were in the Scouts. He said they played with his own grandchildren when they visited. Children from both families gathered for a baseball game in the Gazdackos' yard when their grandchildren visited from Oklahoma earlier this summer.
“Melissa was a wonderful mother," Denise Gazdacko said. "She was involved in Girl Scouts a lot. And they did everything involving the kids. The part behind doors, we don’t know.”
She said Jason Dunham helped the Gazdackos put up their basketball hoop. She also said he was a nice man but controlling.
“Each girl had their own thing. Amber loved the garden," Denise Gazdacko said. "The garden’s beautiful. Their dad made sure that they had it perfect.
“Amber would do the baking and gardening. She would bring us cupcakes. She always was bringing us cookies or cupcakes that she made. And she would do something cute with them … like they had little surfboards and palm trees on them.
“And then Renee was more of the tomboy. Her dad made her do all the hard yardwork and stuff,” Denise Gazdacko said.
Their younger brother was eager to play with her grandchildren, she said.
Another neighbor, Rebecca Gyoker, said she had not met Jason Dunham, but had met Melissa Dunham a couple of times.
“She seemed like a really, really, really sweet person,” she said. “My favorite part of the kids was they were kids. They were always outside playing with the scooters and basketball, and just what kids should do. You don’t see that stuff nowadays. They were always outside and playing and just living life.”
She said she waved at the children every morning while they waited for the bus as she was leaving for work.
Gyoker has offered to keep the family dogs, whom she believes are missing their human companions.
“When you saw the dogs, you saw the kids. When you saw the kids, you saw the dogs,” she said.
Denise Gazdacko said the Dunham family had started spending more time inside recently.
“That kind of concerned us somewhat," she said.
Passerby Jim Schrock of Hartville expressed sorrow about the Dunhams' deaths.
“It’s just always sad when domestic disputes go to that extreme, sad that they can't work things out," he said. "It always takes an effort to work out problems.”
Lake Local mourns loss of three children
The three children were students at the Lake Local School District.
Expert advice: Need help talking to your kids about Uniontown murder-suicide? Local experts offer tips
Lake Local Superintendent Kevin Tobin said the students were in ninth, seventh and third grade.
The district mobilized its crisis response team. Counselors, mental health professionals and other resources met with students and staff, he said.
"We are working through this as calm and compassionate as we can," Tobin said.
Renee Dunham, Tobin said, was heavily involved in the band. The band was slated to attend an away football game Friday night at Boardman.
"This is going to impact them. They are a family and it is almost two years to the day when we lost another band student after surgery," Tobin said. "It's a very, very tragic incident and we will just rally as a school community and as Lake Local community."
He added the pastoral society and other agencies will help the staff and students, as well as the community.
A vigil for the family will be held at 7 p.m. Saturday in Hartville Memorial Park behind Lake Elementary School at 225 Lincoln St. SW in Hartville. It is being organized by the Lake Girl Scout Service Unit and Cub Scout Pack 45.
Includes reporting from the Akron Beacon Journal.
Where to get help
If you or someone you know needs support now, call or text 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. The following resources also are available any time of day:
· Stark County Crisis Hotline: 330-452-6000
· Crisis Text Line, text ‘4hope’ to 741-741
· Trevor Project Lifeline for LGBTQ youth: 866-488-7386
· Trans Lifeline: 877-565-8860
· Military & Veterans Crisis Line: 800-273-8255, press 1
· Military & Veterans Crisis Text Line: 838255
· CommQuest Detox at Aultman Hospital: 330-830-3393
Learn how to make your home a “Safe Home” by removing unnecessary risks for substance abuse and suicide at starkmhar.org/prevention-resources/safe-home.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Uniontown Ohio shooting kills 2 adults, 3 children in murder-suicide
