GAMBIER, Ohio -- Officials in Knox County continuing investigating the death of a 54-year-old woman Sunday morning, but as of Monday afternoon they have a new lead. They have recovered the missing, beige pickup truck they believe was taken by the person or persons who shot Jean Davis in the head and left her at the rear door of her home.
Sheriff David Barber said the truck was found late Monday afternoon in Licking County, but he declined to say where. He did express appreciation to the public for its response in his request for information in solving the county's only homicide of 2009.
He said the truck had been towed to Knox County where it would be processed for information by state experts from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation on Tuesday.
The incident began when the sheriff's office received a 911 call to a home at 24941 Dennis Church Road shortly before 11 a.m. Sunday
The caller reported an unresponsive woman outside the home.
Responding law enforcement officers found the woman on the ground next to the rear door of her home.
Knox County Sheriff David Barber said Davis was well-liked and had retired as a supervisor at Columbia Gas a few years ago.
"She was a kind and giving person," he said. "I've known her for many years."
Neighbors said the victim lived alone and raised sheep and llamas. They said she emailed friends early Sunday morning and said she'd meet them at church. When she failed to arrive, the friends went to her home and found her body.
"It appears that she's been beaten or something," the 911 caller said. "I don't see her truck there."
Friends also said they found her home had been ransacked.
According to the coroner, Davis died from a single gunshot wound to the head.
Anyone with information is asked to call the Knox County Sheriff's office at 740-397-3333.
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