Two Ohio men are behind bars after a pregnant woman was found dead inside a plastic tote dumped along a rural road, authorities said.
The body of 28-year-old Brittany Fuhr-Storms was discovered on the evening of Aug. 3 by people walking along Fort Anthony Road in Jackson Township. Police say Fuhr-Storms was pregnant at the time of her death, and her unborn child also died.
According to investigators, the case quickly led them to Franklin, where Fuhr-Storms had been living. Working with Middletown police, detectives traced the investigation to a home on Logan Avenue belonging to 46-year-old James Rothenbusch.
When police arrived with a narcotics search warrant, they say they found drugs, paraphernalia, and disturbing evidence linked to Fuhr-Storms’ death. Rothenbusch allegedly admitted she died in his home under suspicious circumstances, and that he kept her body there for about four days before it was moved.
A second man, 59-year-old Rick Sheppard, was later arrested in Middletown. Authorities say Sheppard also admitted the victim had been dead in the home for nearly a week before being disposed of. Both men allegedly knew Fuhr-Storms was pregnant.
Rothenbusch faces a long list of charges, including corrupting another with drugs (specific to a pregnant woman), tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, and multiple drug offenses. Sheppard has been charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Police say Fuhr-Storms’ body was kept in a shower for several days before being moved. Sheppard allegedly tried to run before his arrest but was quickly caught. He told police she died from an overdose.
Fuhr-Storms’ family is now raising money for a memorial service. “She was very loved by her family. This was very unexpected news to everyone,” wrote Joria Isaacs, the wife of Fuhr-Storms’ twin brother, on a GoFundMe page.
The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities have not said if more charges will follow.
