An Ohio doctor specializing in adolescent psychology was fatally shot in her home on August 14, 2026, in what authorities describe as a murder-for-hire plot orchestrated by her 18-year-old daughter. Tamela Dutcher, 55, was shot in the face inside her Delaware County residence by Christian Evans, 20, and Dajameous Payne, 21, according to court records.
Tamela Dutcher had reportedly argued with her daughter, Bryanna Dutcher, earlier that day about household chores. According to a police affidavit, Bryanna Dutcher was secretly dating Evans, who is Black, and feared her parents' "very racist" views would lead to her being kicked out of the house.
That evening, Bryanna Dutcher allegedly communicated with Evans about the argument. Texts presented in court indicate Evans suggested murder in response to the daughter's distress. "If I were you, I would have killed her," Evans reportedly wrote.
Evans and Payne entered the Dutcher home shortly after midnight. Tamela Dutcher was seated on the couch when the two men allegedly charged in and fired a single shot. Her husband, alerted by the gunshot, came to her aid and was also fired upon but was not hit before the assailants fled.
First responders transported Tamela Dutcher to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead. Authorities claim Bryanna Dutcher helped facilitate the attack by providing information about her parents' locations within the home. She allegedly texted Evans, "Alr shes living room he’s basement where you’re here Imk." Evans responded that they were preparing by putting on gloves and intended to "take them both out at the same time."
After the shooting, Bryanna Dutcher is accused of attempting to mislead investigators, initially claiming she did not see anyone and later suggesting a friend of her mother's who owed her money was responsible. Police stated in an affidavit that her alleged deception "delayed identifying leads and suspects."
Investigators identified Evans and Payne as suspects. Evans' father reported receiving a text from his son stating he had "f--ked up," with his phone's GPS pinging near the Dutchers' home at the time of the incident. A search of a dumpster outside Evans' apartment revealed a bag containing a gun holster and pants.
Tamela Dutcher was a co-author of an article titled “The violent and homicidal adolescent. Hearts darkened before time,” published in the International Journal of Adolescent Medicine and Health in January 2002. The study noted that a significant portion of young individuals arrested for homicide were African American, and that girls who kill tend to target family members.
Bryanna Dutcher, Christian Evans, and Dajameous Payne have all been charged with aggravated murder. Bryanna Dutcher also faces a charge of obstruction of justice. Prosecutors allege the trio acted with "prior calculation and design" in causing Tamela Dutcher's death.
Evans' attorney has filed a motion suggesting his client may be incompetent to stand trial, requesting a psychiatric evaluation.