Christopher Kirby and Jaqueline R. Kirby, 30, who are married, are charged with murder, attempted murder and two counts of aggravated robbery.
Deborah Power, 63, of South Lebanon was found under a blanket and “cold to the touch with blood underneath” by sheriff’s deputies called to a home at 59 W. Broadway just before midnight Friday, according to a search warrant filed in Warren County Common Pleas Court.
Her husband, Ronnie Power, remained in critical condition Tuesday, according to WCPO-TV.
Deborah Power’s parents adopted Christopher Kirby, 38, Warren County Prosecutor David Fornshell told WCPO.
“Our two defendants were interested in taking some property basically for the purposes of buying drugs ultimately went in and beat our female victim to death, beat our male victim to the point to where he’s in very very critical condition and obviously we’re hopeful that he’ll survive these injuries but it’s still looking pretty dire,” Fornshell told WCPO on Tuesday.
Also Tuesday, Warren County Judge Gary Loxley set bond for the Kirbys at $250,000 each during hearings in Warren County Court.
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The case began at 11:50 p.m. Friday, Sept. 15, when an 8-year-old boy called 911, according to Fornshell.
Deputies responded to the residence -- where the Kirbys also lived, according to earlier reports -- to find Ronnie Power bleeding from the head.
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After “rendering aid” to him, deputies found the body of Deborah Powers, who also lived there, according to a press release issued Monday by the Warren County Sheriff’s Office.
Deborah Power apparently died of blunt force trauma, but tests are pending, according to Doyle Burke, chief investigator for the Warren County Coroner’s Office.
Ronnie Power’s truck was found the next day at the West Chester Hospital, where he was taken for treatment.
Investigators suspect the Kirbys traveled to the hospital in the truck. They seized clothing and the passenger side seatbelt and took swabs from the truck, according to the search warrant inventory.
The Kirbys are scheduled to return to county court at 3 p.m.Friday.
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