5 dead, including 3 kids, in northern Ohio shooting; police suspect murder-suicide

LAKE TWP. – Five people, including three children, were found dead in an apparent homicide-suicide at a home on Thursday evening, the Uniontown Police Department said.

Officers were called to a home in the 13000 block of Carnation Avenue NW about 7:30 p.m. to perform a welfare check. When they got there, authorities said, five family members were found dead inside the home.

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 Dunham, 46, Melissa Dunham, 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. Further details, such as who fired the shots, haven't been released.

No other people were believed to be involved.

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 and her expertise in Employer Retention Credit program reimbursements had been instrumental in optimizing benefits for the firm's clients during the pandemic, 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 their 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

The next-door neighbors on Friday morning remembered fondly the couple and their children.

Edmond Gazdacko said the couple moved in 18 years ago before they had children. He and his wife Denise always enjoyed the neighbors and never had any issues with them.

He said the three children — ages 15, 12 and 9 — were in the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. He said they played with his own grandchildren when they visited. Children from both families gathered for a baseball game in the Gazdackos' front yard when their grandchildren visited from Oklahoma earlier this summer.

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 a ninth grader who was in the band, a seventh grader, both girls, and a third grade boy. Those descriptions correspond to Renee, Amber and Evan, respectively.

The district mobilized its crisis response team. Counselors, mental health professionals and other resources met with students and staff, he said.

"We alerted our parents and our staff (about the tragedy)," Tobin said. "And we have counselors and others meeting (with kids) as we speak. We are working through this as calm and compassionate as we can."

The ninth grader, 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.

Denise Gazdacko said Melissa was a wonderful mother and her husband helped the Gazdackos put up their basketball hoop. She also said Jason was a nice man, but controlling.

She said one of the girls was a tomboy who did yardwork and the other was the kind who would make elaborately decorated cupcakes. Their younger brother was eager to play with them and the neighbors' grandchildren, she said.

Uniontown police had no reports or records of previously responding to the Dunhams' address, according to a dispatcher.

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.

This is a developing story.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: 5 dead in murder-suicide at Uniontown home in Stark County, Ohio