Toddler, Grandparents Found Dead in Apparent Ohio Murder-Suicide After 911 Plea

A disabled toddler and his grandparents were found dead in their Ohio home in what authorities are investigating as a murder-suicide, following a 911 call where a voice softly pleaded for "help."

Gale Sanders, 67, Melissa Campbell, 51, and their 22-month-old grandson Kozza Lotut were discovered deceased on Wednesday in their Gnadenhutten residence, located south of Canton.

All three victims had sustained gunshot wounds. A firearm was found near one of the deceased, according to Tuscarawas County Sheriff Orvis Campbell. "If I had to say the evidence was leaning one way, it’s definitely leaning towards a murder-suicide," the sheriff stated, without identifying a suspect.

Deputies initiated an investigation after receiving a 911 call around 4:17 a.m. The call disconnected almost immediately, preventing dispatchers from tracing the location. However, during subsequent callback attempts, dispatchers heard a faint plea for help.

Authorities eventually traced the disconnected call to the N. Cherry Street home. A family member already present at the residence granted police access, leading them to the discovery of the three victims.

Sanders and Campbell were identified as Kozza's grandparents, who had been actively involved in caring for the child's medical needs. The bodies have been transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office for autopsies to determine the official cause of death.