Authorities ID Victims In Pataskala Double-Murder-Suicide

PATASKALA, Ohio—Police say a man killed his wife and their 9-year-old son before killing himself in their home on a private lane in Licking County.

Pataskala Police Chief Chris Forshey says the bodies of 46-year-old John Eckard II, 45-year-old Nicole Eckard, and son Nicholas were found Thursday morning after a business associate contacted police.

William Beer says he received a letter from John thanking him for taking over Eckard’s land-surveying company and saying that the family would soon be dead.

Beer says John was ill and that the family, which owned a used car dealership, lived beyond its means.

Forshey says John was found in the living room of the four-bedroom colonial on five acres. The others were in their bedrooms. He says each appeared to have been shot once in the head.

AUTOPSY RESULTS

Autopsy examination was performed Friday on two of the three shooting victims in the Havens Corners Road double homicide/suicide incident occurring in the early morning hours of Thursday, Nov. 5, 2009. It is anticipated the third autopsy will be performed early Saturday morning.

Pataskala police confirmed that both of the victims and the assailant died as a result of a single gunshot wound to the head area. Investigators believe a shotgun was used in all of the deaths.

Evidence collected at the scene suggest both of the victims, Nicolas Eckard, age 9, and Robin Eckard, age 45 were shot in their sleep, each in their respective bedrooms. 

The assailant is believed to be the father, John Eckard II, 45 who was found in the living room area with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Through the investigation, police are looking at possible motives for this heinous crime. 

“We have collected a number of letters left by John Eckard outlining his reasons for committing this atrocious act. Possible legal and financial hardships on his part, in addition to declining health, seem to be the theme in these letters,” Pataskala Chief of Police Chris Forshey said.

The investigation will be ongoing while items are submitted to BCI for examination. 

Toxicology reports may take up to six weeks to learn if alcohol or drugs contributed to this crime. 

Anyone with information regarding this incident may contact the Pataskala Division of Police Det. Lisa Lowe at 740-964-6998.

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