The body of a pregnant Ohio woman, Brittany Fuhr-Storms, was tragically found wrapped in towels and a tarp inside a plastic bin on the side of a rural country road. The discovery was made by two hikers on Fort Anthony Road in Jackson Township on Aug. 7, who noticed a strong odor emanating from the container.
Authorities from the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office launched an investigation into the incident, and an autopsy revealed that Fuhr-Storms was pregnant at the time of her death. The investigation led them to Fuhr-Storms’ last known address in Middletown, where she had met with two men.
Police executed a search warrant on the apartment and arrested James Rotherbusch, 52, after discovering evidence including a blood stain, a blue tarp, screws, and towels matching those found with the victim’s body. Rotherbusch confessed that Fuhr-Storms died under suspicious circumstances in his home and that he had left her body there for a week before moving it to the roadside bin.
Subsequently, a second suspect, Ricky J. Sheppard, 47, was apprehended in Middletown. Sheppard claimed that Fuhr-Storms died of an overdose and that her body was disposed of about a week later. Both men admitted to being aware of the victim’s pregnancy.
The cause and manner of Fuhr-Storms’ death have not yet been determined by the coroner’s office. Rotherbusch and Sheppard have been charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. Additionally, Rotherbusch faces charges of corrupting another with drugs, trafficking drugs, possession of drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, and failure to report a crime or death.
Chief of Staff Jeremy Roy commended the collaborative efforts of local law enforcement in apprehending the suspects, emphasizing the importance of swift action in such cases. The shocking crime has left neighbors in disbelief, with one resident expressing surprise at the events unfolding next door.
The community is reeling from the tragic loss of Fuhr-Storms and the circumstances surrounding her death. The investigation into this harrowing incident is ongoing as authorities work to uncover the full extent of the events leading to her untimely demise.
