On Thursday, August 24, while conducting routine welfare checks, authorities discovered five family members dead in their Lake Township home, located about 15 miles southeast of Akron, Ohio.
The victims have been identified as Jason Dunham, 46, Melissa Dunham, 42, and their three children: Renee, 15, Amber, 12, and Evan, 9.
Law enforcement responded to a wellness check around 7:30 pm after a co-worker reported not having heard from Melissa in two days, and uncovered the grim scene.
The Stark County Coroner’s Office confirmed that all individuals had succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds and were all pronounced dead in their bedrooms at the scene at 9:52 p.m.
The tragedy is believed to have originated from a domestic dispute that escalated. Jason’s gun was used in the shooting although both parents had concealed carry permits. It is not known yet who fired the shots.
The Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called to assist with evidence collection and documentation.
The Lake Local School District, where the Dunham children attended classes, received the news with shock. Superintendent Kevin Tobin said that counselors and mental health professionals are providing support to both students and staff.
Melissa Dunham, one of the victims, was a partner at Bober Markey Fedorovich & Co., an accounting firm based in Fairlawn. During the pandemic, she was celebrated for her leadership and expertise, particularly in optimizing client benefits through the Employer Retention Credit program.
This incident has deeply impacted the community, with friends and neighbors remembering the Dunham family fondly. The couple had resided in the neighborhood for 18 years, and their children were engaged in activities such as the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.