MADISON TWP. — A body found in the woods near a burned home on Park Avenue East is linked to an Ashland abduction case that led to the discovery of two bodies in an Ashland home.
Tuesday morning, Ashland police rescued an abducted woman after she escaped her captor and called 911. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody.
Late Tuesday night, Shawn Michael Grate was identified as the suspect in the case. He was booked into Ashland County Jail on charges of abduction and is expected to be arraigned Wednesday.
Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page said Tuesday that after the suspect was taken into custody, he informed police that he had killed a woman in a house on Park Avenue East back in June.
The suspect was taken to the scene at 1027 Park Avenue East where he led authorities into the wooded area behind the home. After several minutes, Page said a female body was found.
The residence at 1027 Park Ave. East burned in June and Page said the fire is related to the body found in the woods.Â
Page said they believe they know who the victim is but they have not positively identified her yet.
The remains of the burned residence has not yet been searched, but BCI is expected to comb through the evidence on Wednesday.
Page said the suspect is a drifter who has made his way through Marion, Richland and Ashland counties.
The prosecutor said there was no information at this time to indicate there may be other victims related to this suspect.
