Authorities in Ohio have apprehended a third individual months after the body of a pregnant woman was discovered inside a plastic container. Walter Wade, aged 44, was charged on Tuesday with the abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence related to the demise of 28-year-old Brittany Fuhr-Storms. Her body was found on August 3, wrapped in towels and a tarp, inside a sealed plastic storage tote. Although the coroner could not determine the exact cause of death, two other men, James Rothenbusch, 52, and Rick Sheppard, 47, were also implicated in the investigation.

Officials reported that Sheppard claimed Fuhr-Storms succumbed to an “alleged overdose,” with her body remaining in a shower for four days before any disposal attempt was made. Both Sheppard and Rothenbusch confessed to being aware of her pregnancy at the time of her death.

As previously covered by Law&Crime, both Sheppard and Rothenbusch were under police scrutiny even before Fuhr-Storms’ body was found. During a press conference on August 5, the Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office stated that both men were under investigation for suspected narcotic activities. A related search warrant reportedly uncovered evidence pertinent to the death investigation.

According to documents obtained by local CBS affiliate WHIO, police searching the Middletown apartment of Sheppard and Rothenbusch discovered bloodstains on the carpeting, screws, a blue tarp, and towels matching those used to wrap Fuhr-Storms’ body. Additionally, authorities allegedly found fentanyl and various drug paraphernalia at the scene.

According to a search warrant obtained by local CBS affiliate WHIO, police officers who searched Sheppard and Rothenbusch’s apartment in Middletown found blood on the carpet, screws, a blue tarp, and towels that matched the ones Fuhr-Storms’ body was allegedly wrapped in. Police also allegedly found fentanyl and other drug paraphernalia.

Police said that Fuhr-Storms’ case was considered a “suspicious death.” Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office Chief of Staff Jeremy Roy said, “The fact of the matter is, these gentlemen have some guys in custody that were there at the time she died. That’s a problem. They don’t have any 911 calls, they don’t have anybody going for help. That’s an issue.”

During a court hearing on Thursday that was covered by Journal-News, a local news outlet, Fuhr-Storms’ brother asked the judge to set a high bond for Wade, calling him a danger to the community. Wade’s bond was set at $45,000. He is currently in custody at Butler County Jail. His next court date was scheduled for Dec. 18.

Rothenbusch was charged with corrupting a pregnant woman with drugs, tampering with evidence, gross abuse of a corpse, drug trafficking, and drug possession, plus misdemeanor charges of failure to report a crime or death and possession of drug paraphernalia. He is scheduled to go on trial on Jan. 12, 2026.

Sheppard was charged with abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence. His trial is scheduled for Feb. 2, 2026.