The body of Cora Rose Grubb, 26, of Kettering, was found inside a home in the 200 block of South Hedges Street Oct. 28 after police received a call that a body may be in the house. She died from gunshot and stab wounds of the head and neck, Montgomery County Coroner Dr. Kent Harshbarger said.
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According to police, Mertz admitted to “participating in moving the dead body...and help wrap her body in plastic and duct tape to be put in a plastic trash bag,” records read.
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The Montgomery County Coroner’s Office previously identified Grubb by the last name of Fraley, which was later determined to be her maiden name, a spokesperson said.
Previously, police also had identified Erik Michael Evans, 32, as a suspect in Grubbs’ death. The day after Grubbs’ body was found police spotted Evans in a vehicle in the Shell parking lot at the corner of North Gettysburg and Free Pike.
As police approached, Evans pulled out a gun and fired and the officer returned fire, according to Dayton police. Evans was shot during the incident and died.
The coroner’s office determined after an autopsy that Evans died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound and that none of the officer’s shots hit Evans.
Officers found a note on Evans that indicated he killed Grubbs and also hinted that he attempted to kill another person who got away, Dayton Lt. Jason Hall said.
A summons for Mertz has been issued for Nov. 21.
Police asked anyone who thought they may have been targeted by Evans to call, but it is not clear if anyone has stepped forward.
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