Salem Township homicide victim not shot

salem

Staff Report

The Columbiana County Sheriff’s department doesn’t believe a firearm was used in a homicide last week.

Authorities said today that Melinda Todd, 43, of Salem died of blunt force trauma to the head, while her 5-year-old grandson Cole Reed was left in critical condition on December 3.

In a press release, Sheriff Raymond L. Stone said evidence at the scene, along with an initial doctor’s report, suggested that a gun was used. He said a Summit County Pathologist found no indication of a firearm the day after the murder, but did not release the information because of the ongoing investigation.

Todd and Reed were found at Township home on state Route 45 by two girls returning from school that afternoon.

The Sheriff’s department’s homicide task force is leading the investigation. No suspects have been arrested.