8-year-old’s body found hidden in attic, Ohio police say. Mom, another woman charged
.png "Two women in Ohio are charged in connection with the death of an 8-year-old boy.")
Two women in Ohio are charged in connection with the death of an 8-year-old boy, officials said.
Just after noon on June 28, Lashanda Wilder, 32, called Columbus police to report that her 8-year-old son Martonio Wilder had been missing since the night before, Police Chief Elaine Bryant said at a news conference streamed by The Columbus Dispatch.
Officers spoke with Wilder and Johnna Lowe, 33, at the home, according to WCMH. However, while authorities were searching for Martonio, police said Wilder and Lowe left the home with Wilder’s two other children.
When officials couldn’t contact Wilder, a search warrant for the home was obtained. Inside, authorities found Martonio’s body hidden in an attic inside a trash bag placed in a bivy cover, police told the outlet.
An Amber Alert was issued for Wilder’s two other children, 3 and 9 years old, Bryant said. Shortly after the Amber Alert was issued, the boys were found safe.
Police said Martonio’s death was suspicious.
Martonio’s death was ruled a homicide. Police have not said how he died but court records said “the coroner found deep neck compression on the victim,” according to The Columbus Dispatch.
“How could you, when you got all us out here looking for him, they looking, they looking and the whole time he dead?” Wilder’s aunt Rachelle Knight told WBNS.
Officials were looking for Wilder and Lowe, who later turned themselves in on June 29, The Columbus Dispatch reported.
“Martonio was a bright kid, all he wanted was to be loved, he wanted to be loved,” Knight told WBNS. “He was 8 years old, 8 years old Lashanda, how?”
Wilder is charged with murder and obstructing justice, and Lowe is charged with obstructing justice, according to court records.
This story was originally published June 30, 2024 at 1:16 PM with the headline "8-year-old’s body found hidden in attic, Ohio police say. Mom, another woman charged."
