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Two men in Ohio have been arrested after police found a pregnant woman’s body stuffed inside a plastic tote on the side of the road.
According to Jackson Township police, they were alerted just before 8pm on August 3 about a foul odor coming from a cooler located on Fort Anthony Road, as reported by the Dayton Daily News.
‘I didn’t want to open it,’ said one 911 caller, referencing WHIO. ‘The smell was so terrible, you know, there’s a distinction between ordinary odors of death and this was not a usual odor.’
Upon arrival at the location, officers discovered a plastic tote hidden behind a dirt mound with its lid secured tightly. Inside, they found the body of 28-year-old Brittany Fuhr-Storms, wrapped in both a towel and a tarp.
An ensuing autopsy then determined that Fuhr-Storms had been pregnant, and the unborn child did not survive.
After searching the victim’s last known address, police were led to an apartment in Middletown, where it is believed Fuhr-Storms visited two men and later died.
There, authorities found a suspected blood stain on the carpet, a blue tarp, wooden screws and a set of towels that matched the description of the ones found with Fuhr-Storms’ body.
The lessee, James R Rothenbusch, 52, was then detained at the scene as police collected drug paraphernalia from his residence.
Brittany Fuhr-Storms, 28, was found dead inside a plastic tote on the side of the road in Ohio on August 3. An ensuing autopsy determined she had been pregnant
Police arrested James R Rothenbusch, 52 (right) and Ricky J. Sheppard, 47 (left) in connection with the incident
Police say the two men kept her inside Rothenbusch’s apartment (pictured) for days before they disposed of her body
Upon questioning, police say Rothenbusch admitted to drug trafficking and said Fuhr-Storms died at his home under ‘suspicious circumstances.’
He also told police was left in the shower for around four days before it was disposed of.
A second suspect, Ricky J. Sheppard, 47, was also found nearby and allegedly tried to run as police approached him.
‘Sheppard attempted to flee but was quickly apprehended and detained,’ deputies said, according to Fox 19.
‘He later stated that the deceased died from an alleged overdose and she remained in the house for approximately a week before being removed.’
Both of the suspects said they knew the 28 year old was pregnant at the time of her death, deputies noted.
Rothenbusch is now facing felony charges of corrupting another with drugs specific to a pregnant woman, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, trafficking in drugs and possession of drugs.
He is also facing misdemeanor charges of failure to report a crime or death and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Sheppard, meanwhile, is charged with gross abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence.
Authorities found a plastic tote stuffed behind a dirt hill with the lid screwed on
Fuhr-Storm’s body was wrapped in a towel and a tarp
Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Jeremy Roy praised local law enforcement for coming together to nab the suspects.
‘Everybody dropped everything as they should when you find out that a mother-to-be was just dumped on the side of the road,’ he said.
‘You don’t always get that cooperation all the time around the US and in Ohio, but in this case you kind of have to tip your hat.’
Yet questions about Fuhr-Storms’ death remains, as police say tests are still pending from the coroner’s office even as her family raises money for her funeral.
Many neighbors are now left shocked and confused.
‘I had no clue,’ Cody Lewis told Fox 19. ‘I had no clue something like that was happening right next door.
