A 13-year-old girl from Ohio, Keimani Latigue, was found dead and mutilated in an abandoned, burnt-out house six days after her family reported her missing. Her father, made an appeared on TV to look for aid in finding her, was arrested the next day. Officials described the case as one of the most horrific they had encountered, according to the New York Post. 

Keimani, who was about to celebrate her 14th birthday, was sadly discovered in an empty residence with severe injuries, including her hands cut off and her neck nearly severed. Authorities confirmed she had been raped. An autopsy revealed she died from multiple cuts to her neck. While her family sought help in finding her, her father, Darnell Jones, appeared on local news, mentioning the last communication he had with her was when she told him that she was scared to be home by herself. 

He claimed to have driven to the house at approximately 12:30 a.m, saying, “It seemed like somebody was trying to break into the house.” 

What Transpired?

The young girl resided with her grandmother, Dorothy Latigue; however, her grandmother was not home when she went missing. Her mother, Tiara Kasten, stated that she last saw Keimani on March 15, when her father brought her to her home. 

When the grandmother returned home, she found the place messy, with the teen’s clothes scattered and the stove still on. Keimani’s keys and glasses were there, which she needed to see. After the father provided unclear information to the officials about Keimani’s location, they issued a warrant for his arrest. The next day, her body was located, leading to murder charges against him. No motive has been reported.

Jones was found in Columbus, two hours south of Toledo, during a SWAT operation and was shot. Police reported he had a firearm, but it’s unclear if he fired at officers. He was hospitalized for surgery, and a vehicle officials believe to be “connected to the case” was seized.