Timeline: How legs found in Trotwood led to Kettering search, warrants, charges

Two weeks after a Kettering man’s legs were found in a tarp in Trotwood, his son is being held on $1 million bond for tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse charges.

While the case remains under investigation, Kettering and Trotwood police have served multiple search warrants, and crews have responded to Dayton and Fairborn in addition to Trotwood and Kettering.

As of Monday afternoon, Edgar S. Keiter Jr., 52, of Dayton, is the only person charged after his father’s legs were found in Trotwood. Kettering police Chief Christopher “Chip” Protsman said he expects more charges to be filed, and investigators are still looking for others they believe are involved in the case.

Here’s a timeline of how the case has unfolded.

ExplorePolice chief: More charges expected after Kettering man’s legs found in Trotwood

April 22, 2024

Trotwood police responded to the 7500 block of Old Dayton Road just before 1 p.m. after a man texted Montgomery County Regional Dispatch about human remains found at the end of his driveway.

Officers arrived at the residence and met with the man. They found a white tarp that smelled like “a deceased human with flies surrounding the bag,” according to a Trotwood police incident report. One of the officers opened the tarp and confirmed there were human legs with no blood.

Investigators were able to identify the legs as belonging to 75-year-old Edgar Keiter Sr., of Kettering, using a serial number from a knee replacement surgery, Protsman said.

April 26, 2024

Kettering police responded to Keiter Sr.’s apartment in the 4500 block of Croftshire Drive to assist Trotwood police with a search of the unit. Appliances and carpet were missing from the apartment, according to Protsman. A Kettering police report indicated it appeared bleach was poured on the floor.

Neighbors told investigators Keiter Jr. cleaned out the apartment the previous week and was seen driving his father’s vehicle, according to Kettering Municipal Court records.

April 27, 2024

Kettering officers returned to the Croftshire apartment for a criminal damaging complaint. The landlord wanted to pursue charges for appliances and carpet that were stolen from the apartment.

The landlord noted the refrigerator, stove and air conditioner unit were taken in addition to the carpet, according to court records.

April 30, 2024

A BOLO, or be on the lookout, was issued for Keiter Jr.’s pickup truck. Two felony counts of theft were filed against Keiter Jr. in Kettering Municipal Court for the items stolen from the Croftshire apartment.

ExploreDayton man charged after Kettering search; father’s body parts found in Trotwood

May 1, 2024

Keiter Jr.’s truck was found by Fairborn police. Two people were inside, but neither were Keiter Jr., Protsman said. One of the occupants was arrested for an unrelated warrant.

Keiter Jr. was arrested at his residence in the 100 block of Ernst Avenue in Dayton.

Investigators also searched a storage unit in the 1700 block of Guenther Road in Trotwood. The rest of Keiter Sr.’s remains were found in the storage in bags that matched the tarp the legs were found in, according to court records.

The person renting the storage unit reportedly told investigators Keiter Jr. asked them to reserve it in their name.

Police found items stolen from the Croftshire apartment in a garage in the 2300 block of Eastview Avenue, which was behind Keiter Jr.’s residence, Protsman said.

May 3, 2024

Keiter Jr. was charged with three counts of tampering with evidence and one count of gross abuse of a corpse in Kettering Municipal Court in relation to his father’s remains. Protsman said Monday Keiter Jr. could face additional charges.

May 6, 2024

Keiter Jr. was arraigned via video in municipal court. Judge Frederick Dressel continued the $1 million bond placed on Keiter after he was charged the previous week. A preliminary hearing was set for Friday, but Dressel said the case would go directly to a grand jury.

May 10, 2024

A Montgomery County grand jury indicted Keiter Jr. for gross abuse of a corpse, three counts of tampering with evidence and two counts of theft, all felony charges. His arraignment was scheduled for May 14 in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

July 3, 2024

Amanda Reiff, Keiter Jr.’s girlfriend, was indicted by grand jury for one count each of complicity to commit tampering with evidence and complicity to commit gross abuse of a corpse in Montgomery County Common Pleas Courts.

She reportedly told a witness Keiter Jr. put his father’s body in a storage unit and was seen with him at the unit.

“The defendant also (told) the witness that she might have to help get rid of the body due to the odor and Jr. was in jail at the time,” according to Kettering Municipal Court records.

July 26, 2024

Tygan Keiter, Keiter Jr.’s son, was indicted on four counts of tampering with evidence in Montgomery County Common Pleas Court.

Tygan Keiter allegedly sent texts from his grandfather’s cellphone to make it seem like he was still alive.

While talking to detectives, Tygan Keiter admitted he and his father spoke about getting Keiter Sr. to add Tygan Keiter to his will prior to Keiter Sr.’s death.

After Keiter Sr. died, Keiter Jr. reportedly told Tygan Keiter to go to Keiter Sr.’s apartment and stage text messages to make it appear he was alive.

“Tygan admitted to going to Keiter Sr.’s house and seeing Keiter Sr. dead on the floor with a knife through his chest,” an affidavit read. “Tygan admitted to sending text messages from Keiter Sr.’s phone and making calls from the phone.”

Nov. 19, 2024

Tygan Keiter pleaded guilty to two counts of tampering with evidence and one count of misdemeanor theft in common pleas court.

The other two tampering with evidence charges were dismissed.

Tygan Keiter is scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 25.

Dec. 5, 2024

Reiff pleaded guilty to complicity to commit tampering with evidence, complicity to commit gross abuse of a corpse, misuse of credit cards and two counts of forgery charges in common pleas court.

She is scheduled to be sentenced on March 4.