2 dead; 2 arrested
Newell home invasion case ends with murder charges servedBy EMILY SCOTT and MICHAEL D. McELWAIN (newsroom@reviewonline.com)
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Members of the East Liverpool Police Department served the warrant at 1027 Avondale St. Thursday at approximately 5:45 p.m.
The warrant came at the request of the Hancock County Sheriff’s Department and stemmed from a home invasion case across the river in Newell Wednesday evening that left Rex Waugh dead and a woman injured.
According to Hancock County Sheriff Mike White, Terance Williams, 42, of 1027 Avondale St., and April Tanner, 33, of 334 Tip Top Alley, East Liverpool, have each been charged with one count of first degree murder and one count of burglary in the nighttime.
Mike Williams, 36, also of 1027 Avondale St., was found dead inside the Avondale Street residence during the search Thursday afternoon. White said Mike Williams and Terance Williams were brothers.
“She (Tanner) entered the residence and distracted Waugh with the intent for the Williams brothers to enter the residence and commit a burglary,” said White. Tanner and Waugh knew each other.
The Hancock County 911 Center received a call at 9:20 p.m. from Waugh, 63, who said two black males entered his Newell home, located at 312 Grant St., through an unlocked door, struck him in the face, and duct-taped his hands and those of Tanner.
Waugh was transported to East Liverpool City Hospital, where he later died as a result of his injuries.
White said the investigation lead to Tanner becoming not a victim, but a prime suspect in the murder.
Waugh managed to free himself and place the 911 call after the assailants left but collapsed just as officers from the Hancock County Sheriff’s Office were arriving, said White.
“We do have statements and enough information and evidence to support the murder charges brought against Williams and Tanner,” White said, adding that members of his department “worked throughout the night to find the suspects in the case.”
The sheriff added that, “There is no one else we are looking for at this time.”
Tanner is being held by Hancock County authorities, and White said late Thursday night that warrants were being issued against Williams, who is currently being held by Ohio authorities.
As for the death of Mike Williams, White said that investigation will be left up to the East Liverpool Police Department.
White would not comment on the cause of Mike Williams’ death, nor would Brian Fullum, an investigator with the Columbiana County Coroner’s Office, who was on the scene in East Liverpool Thursday.
East Liverpool Police Chief Mike McVay said officers did not meet any resistance when the search warrant was served.
Terance Williams was inside the home and taken by White to the East Liverpool Police Department for questioning.
“We are assisting the Hancock County authorities in the investigation and while executing the search warrant, we found the deceased suspect in the upstairs of the home,” McVay said. “He was partially clothed and laying on the bedroom floor. We will be investigating the circumstances of his death.”
At the East Liverpool location, McVay said he had assistance from the St. Clair Township Police Department.
“I think it was handled in a professional and great manner,” White said, offering praise to law enforcement departments on both sides of the river. “It was reported and solved in 24 hours.”
