COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — With every diploma handed out this spring, investigators worry they will lose information about who set a rooming-house fire a year ago that killed five Ohio State University students.
“When they leave, some of the people may never come back to Columbus,” said homicide Detective Mike McCann. “We have been under the gun to get in contact with these people before they leave.”
Investigators continue trying to make a case in the April 13, 2003, fire that started after a 21st birthday party at the house just off the main drag of the nation’s second-largest campus.
Three students were saved by firefighters who had to crawl under dense blankets of smoke. The flames blackened everything but the brick of the yellow three-story house in the tree-lined student neighborhood.
About three months later, a suspect was arrested on charges of aggravated murder and arson. However, prosecutors dropped the charges, saying detectives needed more time to pursue leads and build a stronger case with direct or eyewitness evidence.
The evidence could include anyone who had seen someone preparing to start the fire or overheard someone talking about setting the fire.
“Each year there’s less and less people around who were involved and know about it,” said Patty Dennis, whose daughter, Andrea, died in the fire.
A $35,000 reward is being offered for information leading to an arrest and indictment and investigators have collected about 100 tips.
In hopes of drumming up new leads, Central Ohio Crime Stoppers has put up three billboards near campus and plans to erect two more. They display a photo collage of the victims and the message: “Last year, five students received death by fire. The arsonist received nothing. Who is responsible?”
Franklin County Prosecutor Ron O’Brien said police were still investigating Robert Lucky Patterson, the man arrested and then released, along with others.
Police have said that Mr. Patterson, 21, has a history of setting fires and was in the area breaking into cars the night of the fire.
Mr. Patterson’s father, Ron, has said that his son was innocent and was singled out because authorities wanted to close the case.
Robert Patterson could not be reached for comment. He was charged Wednesday with stealing jewelry from a family friend he lived with in November, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
For the families of the victims, waiting for answers does not get any easier.
“It’s a whole different life without Andrea,” Mrs. Dennis said. “If it’s your child and someone you love, you just can’t let it rest.”
Three of the victims — Andrea Dennis, Erin DeMarco and Christine Wilson — were students at Ohio University in Athens and were visiting Columbus for the party. Victims Kyle Raulin and Alan Schlessman lived at the rooming house with 10 other Ohio State students.
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