ASHLAND — A small, somber crowd gathered in a drizzly Corner Park on Tuesday to remember and honor Ashland County’s 10 victims of domestic violence.
The event, hosted by Rape Crisis & Domestic Violence Safe Haven, has occurred annually for 17 years during Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
It involves lighting a candle for the county’s fallen victims, survivors and other unknown victims.
Family members, friends and social workers shared words of encouragement and stories of survival.
Sonya, a special speaker for the event, offered her deepest condolences to the friends and family gathered.
“This is a somber time because it carries a sense of deep quiet sadness and profound seriousness,” she said. “It’s a time of remembrance and reflection.”
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That’s why Corner Park, for a time through October, will feature the silhouettes of the 10 women who have died in Ashland County from the hands of supposed lovers, boyfriends and husbands. Each red silhouette includes their picture and a biography.
Ashland Mayor Matt Miller proclaimed Oct. 7 as Domestic Violence Awareness Day in Ashland. He then thanked Becky Garcia, Safe Haven’s program director, and her staff for all their hard work in providing shelter to women in need.
The names and bios of the 10 women who died to domestic violence have been attached to the bottom of this article.
Domestic violence, by the numbers
The Ohio Domestic Violence Network (ODVN) reported 114 fatalities stemming from domestic violence incidents from July 2023 to July 2024, the latest data available. The numbers include the deaths of 15 children and teens.
There were 112 fatalities in the year prior, the second year in a row with that amount and the highest-ever recorded for deaths among children, at 22.
The ODVN, a nonprofit, provides resources for Ohio survivors through 76 member agencies covering the state’s 88 counties. Safe Haven is one of the member agencies. The network also weighs in on policy.
Safe Haven reached 22,964 adults, according to its latest impact report.
Numbers from Safe Haven’s annual impact reports include emergency shelter residents, education and outreach services and support services.
Names of victims
- Barb Siler. Barb was murdered on Sept. 20, 2001, by her estranged husband Brian Siler in their Nankin residence and hung in their garage. Brian is currently serving 25 years in prison after accepting a plea deal to a charge of involuntary manslaughter and five other charges.
- Lynn Jackenheimer. Lynn was last seen on July 4, 2012, when she traveled to Nags Head, N.C., with her estranged ex-boyfriend Nathan Summerfield, along with their 3-year-old son and her 13-year-old daughter. Summerfield returned to Ashland with her children three days later, but Lynn was not with him. On July 16, Lynn’s body was discovered on the Outer Banks of N.C. about 20-30 miles from where they had been vacationing. The cause of death was ruled to be strangulation and stabbing. Summerfield pleaded guilty to kidnapping and murder and is serving 30 to 39 years in prison.
- Billy Jo Campbell. Billy Jo was murdered on Nov. 6, 2014, by her boyfriend, Stephen Valentine. Valentine was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison.
- Crystal Houchin-Cooper. Crystal was murdered by her husband, Roy Cooper, on May 25, 2003, after telling him she wanted a divorce. He then shot himself. Crystal left behind a son and three daughters.
- Janice Smith-Spade. Janice was killed by her estranged husband, George Spade, on July 14, 1972. George fired shots at a car Janice was driving, causing her to crash in a ditch. She attempted to escape George on foot but tripped and was shot. George was sentenced to life in prison for her murder. He was released on parole on Dec. 23, 1985.
- Carolyn Moore. Carolyn was murdered on Nov. 30, 1988 by her ex-husband Lee Moore Jr. They had been granted a divorce in September of 1988, and Carolyn had also received a Court Order of Protection. Lee showed up to Carolyn’s residence and shot her in the head. Lee then took his own life. She left behind a son and daughter.
- Cathy Bucher-Middleton. Cathy was murdered on April 2, 1991 by her husband James Middleton. Her body was discovered in her home by the Ashland Sheriff’s Department after her sister notified authorities that she suspected something odd after leaving their home. James Middleton was sentenced to life in prison with a chance of being paroled in 15 years. He went before the parole board in December 2014 for the third time and was denied.
- Marty Martin-Bursley. Marty was fatally shot in the chest with a large caliber revolver by her estranged husband Glenn Bursley on the afternoon of June 9, 1992. Glenn then shot and killed himself. Marty had just called Glenn’s parents before the incident, but by the time they arrived, it was too late. Glenn and Marty’s boys were outside when the shooting took place. A motive was not determined, although the couple had a history of marital strife.
- Rachel Kiser. Rachel was murdered April 28, 2012 by her boyfriend, Bryan Emarth. Rachel was fatally shot at his residence after leaving work. Bryan was sentenced to life in prison with a chance of being paroled in 18 years.
- Charity Hlovac. Charity, 39, was shot and killed by her husband, Arick Hlovac, on July 15, 2019. He admitted to the aggravated murder of his wife and was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 33 years.