Two bodies were found in an Ashland home Tuesday Sept. 13 after an abducted woman was able to contact police. Suspect Shawn Grate is being held on a one million dollar bond. Both Ashland community members and university students must come together to overcome a tragedy that hit close to home 

 No one expects it to happen in their own backyard- two bodies were found in an Ashland home on Tuesday, Sept. 13 on the 300 block of Covert Court after a woman called 911. In a chilling phone call she said, “I’m afraid he might hear me and catch me and he’s strong.”

Police arrived on the scene and were able to rescue the woman. Upon arrival they also took 40-year-old Shawn Grate into custody. During their time in the home, officials found the remains of two people. The bodies were identified as Stacey Stanley, who had gone missing the previous Thursday and Elizabeth Griffin.

Grate led police to a third body in Madison Township, where they uncovered the remains at a house that had burnt down in June. According to authorities, Grate had been squatting at the house in Madison Township.

Grate also confessed to killing a fourth woman about ten years ago. Grate claimed that a woman was in her mid-20s and was selling magazines door to door when he abducted her and stabbed her to death, he then dumped the body. 

On Monday, Grate also admitted to the murder of a fifth body, a woman who was killed in March of 2015. “

The tragedy is not something that we expect to happen in Ashland, you don’t want it to happen anywhere,” Mayor of Ashland, Glen Stewart said.

The scene of the crime on Tuesday saw local Cleveland and Columbus news outlets, along with National news outlets like CNN and NBC Nightly News. Almost every television, radio station and newspaper across the country covered this tragic story that took place less than six minutes away from the university.  

At the scene of the crime Tuesday dozens of people gathered around, watching as Ashland police, fire, and the Bureau of Criminal Investigation surrounded the house where the two bodies had been found. People were talking about how they would drive by the house almost every day, or how scared they were that it could have been their kids, family, or friends. One man even pointed out that he had very close family friends who had kids that lived across the street. 

The town of Ashland and the citizens are not the only group affected by the recent horrific events. Ashland University students who come from all over are feeling the impact of these events. 

AU held a prayer service for the victims on Sept. 15 in the lower chapel to remember all those affected by the recent homicides. During the service, people prayed for AU and Ashland to be protected during these tough times. 

Ashland is the last place students expected to see this type of crime. After the events that unfolded some students are saying that they feel scared to walk into town or even around campus.

“I’ve always felt so safe in Ashland and used to walk alone at night all the time and never thought twice about it,” AU student Stephanie Magliulo said. “We think Ashland is this safe little bubble, we forget that we still need to be cautious because you just never know what could happen.”

In an interview with WRDL, the campus’ radio station, mayor Stewart shared his advice on staying safe on and off campus.

“There’s a lot of young ladies and men on the campus here in Ashland, Ohio, and there’s strength in numbers,” Mayor Stewart said. “I can’t think of a reason that you can’t go in couples or pairs when you’re walking around the periphery of campus or even other places. I don’t want to scare anyone but stupid things happen and the last thing we want to do is have that happen again.”

Stewart said that in general, regardless of whether or not this crime had happened, it is always suggested that students stick together, and that they take all the right precautions to stay safe. 

If you ever feel unsafe on campus AU safety services offers 24 hour escorts around campus. Safety services is located in the student center and can be contacted at their office number 419-207-5555.