PAULDING, Ohio — Early this month, 11 Investigates released a three-night investigation into the death of 14-year-old Nancy Eagleson. The Paulding girl was abducted, raped and killed on Nov. 13, 1960.
On Tuesday, Paulding County Sheriff Jason Landers told WTOL 11 that the story has generated several calls to his office. Several other people have reached out to WTOL 11 with additional information.
Hoping to build on that momentum, lead investigator Brian Dugger will be taking part Thursday night in a 90-minute online forum on the case hosted by Uncovered.com. Panelists include Dugger, Nik Edwards of the Porchlight Project and “True Crime Garage” podcast, Eagleson family friend Jeanne Windsor and Rachael Rosselet, who is head of case research and data for Uncovered.
The free webinar begins at 7 p.m. Save your spot at this link.
There are 200,000 cold cases in the United States. Uncovered.com has the largest known database, with more than 50,000 case files included on their web site. In the Eagleson case, the group connected the family to the Porchlight Project, a non-profit group that helped raise money for Nancy’s exhumation in late fall. That exhumation produced additional evidence, including fibers and a bullet.
But Uncovered also researches and raises awareness of cold cases – some that are decades old.
“We believe in the idea that if we share these cases, we get this information out there, they’re not forgotten,” Dana Poll of Uncovered said. “Hopefully we can generate tips and leads that will move these cases forward.”
There are more than 25 cases in northwest Ohio currently detailed on the web site.
During the WTOL 11 investigation into the Eagleson homicide, several people expressed fear or reluctance to talk about the case. Many residents in town believe that a local man was responsible for the crime and that he was protected by local law enforcement.
But several solid leads were reported to WTOL 11 and some of those are being investigated by Landers and state investigators. Poll's hope is that others in the community will be emboldened by knowing that others are speaking out.
“Someone knows something," Poll said. "And hopefully exposing this case can bring some new tips, generate new information, and also give families hope that even after 63 years, there can be movement on a case."
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