OREGON, Ohio — Oregon police have identified a person of interest in a 1982 cold-case murder.
Police Chief Mike Navarre on Wednesday said they have spoken Dale Schuller, who also goes by the name of Jack Schuller. Police say Schuller currently resides in Ottawa County and they know his location.
Police say Schuller was with 17-year-old Sharon Ward just before she was killed nearly 40 years ago. Schuller is 65 years old today and was 27 at the time of Ward's death.
Ward was killed on Feb. 28, 1982. The homicide remains the Oregon Police Department’s only unsolved death.
The teenager's body was found in a cornfield off Jacobs Road, near Wynn Road. Ward had been hit twice on the head and her wrists were slashed. According to police accounts, she appeared to have crawled in the field in the snow to try to get help, but died during the effort.
Karen Jones, Ward's best friend growing up, was present during Wednesday's press conference. She said that she and Ward's family have good feelings and are more optimistic following the update in the case.
"Sharon's mother has passed away without justice being served. One of her sisters has passed away without justice being served. I would really hope that we can button this up," she said.
Investigative Sergeant Kelly Thibert reopened the case in 2012.
"Once you develop bonds with these people and you see the struggles that they've gone through for 38 years just wanting some closure and justice for Sharon. It really motivates you and drives you to want to bring this to a close," Thibert said.
The police department also announced a $25,000 reward to anyone whose verifiable information leads to the arrest of the person or persons responsible for Ward's murder.
Anyone with information about Schuller's whereabouts in February of 1982, or about Ward's murder, is asked to call Oregon police at 419-698-7102 or Crime Stopper at 419-255-1111. There is no need to call police regarding Schuller's current residence; that information is known to authorities.
