Toddler and grandparents shot dead in Ohio after whispered 911 call for help

Three people, including a 22-month-old boy and his two grandparents, were found shot dead at a home in Gnadenhutten, Ohio. Authorities suspect a murder-suicide.

Three shot dead in Ohio home after faint 'help' heard on 911 call

A toddler and his two grandparents have been found shot dead at a home in Gnadenhutten, Ohio, after emergency dispatchers received a chilling call in which someone whispered the word "help," The Sun reports.

The victims were identified as Melissa E. Campbell, 51, Gale F. Sanders, 67, and 22-month-old Kozzar J. Lotut, all found with gunshot wounds at the property in the village of Gnadenhutten, Tuscarawas County.

The emergency call came in shortly after 4am on Wednesday and cut off before dispatchers could determine a location. When operators called back, they heard what the Tuscarawas County Sheriff's Office described as "a voice softly saying the word 'help.'"

Authorities used the calls to narrow down possible addresses in the area. Officers were eventually directed to the scene, where a family member let deputies into the home.

Sheriff Orvis Campbell told Cleveland 19 that investigators believe the deaths are likely the result of a murder-suicide. "It's definitely leaning towards a murder-suicide. We're pretty confident," he said. A gun was found beside one of the bodies, though officials have not clarified who fired the fatal shots or what may have triggered the violence.

The grandparents are reported to have played a significant role in caring for Kozzar, who had medical disabilities. It remains unclear whether the shootings occurred in connection with the 911 call, or which of the victims was heard asking for help.

Investigators are continuing to piece together the sequence of events at the property.

Source: The Sun