DV victims murdered during their Porter County divorce cases
....Domestic violence victim Cynthia Cashner had been murdered by her ex-husband in April 2011...Just weeks after she had filed for divorce before Magistrate Johnson in Porter County.
Porter County near record number of homicides in a year
Post-Tribune (IN)
October 2, 2011
www.newsbank.com
Porter County may have tied its record for the most number of homicides in a year.
If the Wednesday death of Michael Pasternak Jr., shot while mowing a lawn in Hebron, ultimately is ruled a homicide, it will be the county’s sixth homicide of 2011. This would match the record set in 2001.
Two is the annual average over the past 15 years, according to the Porter County coroner’s office.
“That (Pasternak’s death) I assume, is going to be a homicide,” said Coroner Chuck Harris, even though the decision is up to the Marion County coroner since Pasternak died in an Indianapolis hospital. “If that was accidental, I would think that someone would have come forward.”
The shooting initially appeared to be an accident, since residents of the subdivision where he was working frequently hear hunters’ gunshots.
With the exception of the dragging death of Sheri Jania, the coroner’s number of homicides does not include reckless homicide, a charge that tends to be tied to impaired drinking rather than intent.
There does not seem to be a single tie running through the crimes that would explain the drastic increase, although three or four appear to have been domestic disputes.
“You could say the economy if you watch the national news,” said Sgt. Larry Laflower, spokesman for the Porter County Sheriff’s Department. However, not even he believes that as the sole explanation, since the poor economy and the stress it causes weren’t reflected by 2010’s numbers. There were no homicides in Porter County last year.
Memo: Fact Box: 2011 homicide victims
Cynthia Cashner, 50, of Portage. Shot multiple times on April 24 at her business, Mystic Moon Herbal Shoppe in Portage. Her estranged husband, Fredrick Cashner Jr., 54, of Jackson Township, will be tried for murder beginning Oct. 31.
Cheryl Miller, 52, of Pleasant Township. Killed May 31 at her home in a murder-suicide committed by estranged husband Frederick Miller, 59. Both died of gunshot wounds; the house was set on fire.
Sheri Jania, 45, of Portage. On Sept. 3, struck and dragged by a vehicle after a confrontation at the Shift Change Tap in Burns Harbor. James Lohman III, 49, of Portage, is charged with reckless homicide in addition to other charges.
Amanda Bach, 19, of Portage. Last seen Sept. 15, body found Sept. 17 in Union Township, died from a gunshot. Friend and ex-boyfriend Dustin McCowan, 18, of Union Township, is charged with murder.
Donald Crouse, 45, of Porter. Shot Sept. 14 during a domestic dispute at his ex-wife’s home; died Sept. 21 from his injuries. Ex-wife, Beverly Mitchell, 44, is in jail facing charges of aggravated battery, pointing a firearm and other charges; as of Friday, these had not been amended to reflect Crouse’s death.
(Pending determination) Michael Pasternak Jr., 24, of Gary. Shot while mowing a lawn in a Hebron subdivision. Died Sept. 25 at Methodist Hospital in Indianapolis. No suspects are in custody.
Kouts murder-suicide leaves parents dead, son homeless
Post-Tribune (IN)
June 1, 2011
www.newsbank.com
As the burnt house smoldered Tuesday, nine hours after the fire, Porter County Sheriff’s Police were still investigating the apparent firebombing death of a Kouts woman at the hands of her estranged husband.
Police responded to 1269 S. County Road 200E in Pleasant Township in rural Kouts, at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday for a domestic disturbance that claimed the lives of Frederick Miller, 59, and his wife, Cheryl Miller, 52, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.
Police said the husband came to the residence and threw a flammable device through a window. The man’s estranged wife and the couple’s 19-year-old son, J.J., were home at the time. The son was able to escape and called police after hearing several gunshots from near the residence, police said.
The Millers lived on a dead-end gravel road. The nearest neighbor’s house cannot be seen from their residence.
When police arrived, they saw the residence fully engulfed in flames, and found Cheryl Miller dead in the driveway. Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a news release.
Family acquaintance Kris Hendrickson, who has known the family for 12 years, said her two sons were friends with J.J. Miller, and her sons were with J.J. late Monday evening. Hendrickson also knew Cheryl Miller as a customer at the post office where Hendrickson works.
“The mom always came into the post office,” Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson said she chatted at length with Cheryl Miller during the woman’s frequent post office trips.
Harris said an autopsy on both will likely take place Wednesday, but it appears both Millers died from gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide.
In April, Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police, a Porter County Sheriff’s Department release noted.
According to the Porter County Clerk’s Office, Cheryl Miller applied for a protective order from her husband. A Porter County judge granted her the order in April and declared the husband be removed from the residence. The couple filed for divorce April 13.
Cpl. Larry Laflower, public information officer for Porter County Sheriff’s Department, said protective orders are common when couples who file for divorce have a violent relationship.
Porter County Sheriff’s Department detectives are handling the investigation, along with the Porter County Coroner’s Office.
Caption: Deadly scene: Porter County Sheriff’s Police detective Bill Young (left) and Kevin Cusic work the scene of a murder-suicide Tuesday in rural Kouts. Authorites believe Cheryl Miller, 52, was shot to death by her estranged husband Frederick, 59, after he firebombed their Pleasant Township home. Miller then shot himself. The couple’s son was able to escape and call police. | Andy Lavalley~Sun-Times Media Andy Lavalley
2 dead in Kouts firebombing, suicide
Post Tribune
Colleen Sikorski And Teresa Auch Schultz
May 31, 2011 8:35AM
Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM
http://posttrib.suntimes.com/news/5692139-418/2-dead-in-kouts-firebombing-suicide.html
South County Road 200E, Kouts Indiana.
Kouts Indiana
As the burnt house smoldered Tuesday, nine hours after the fire, Porter County Sheriff’s Police were still investigating the apparent firebombing death of a Kouts woman at the hands of her estranged husband.
Police responded to 1269 S. County Road 200E in Pleasant Township in rural Kouts, at approximately 3 a.m. Tuesday for a domestic disturbance that claimed the lives of Frederick Miller, 59, and his wife, Cheryl Miller, 52, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.
Police said the husband came to the residence and threw a flammable device through a window. The man’s estranged wife and the couple’s 19-year-old son, J.J., were home at the time. The son was able to escape and called police after hearing several gunshots from near the residence, police said.
The Millers lived on a dead-end gravel road. The nearest neighbor’s house cannot be seen from their residence.
When police arrived, they saw the residence fully engulfed in flames, and found Cheryl Miller dead in the driveway. Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound, according to a news release.
Family acquaintance Kris Hendrickson, who has known the family for 12 years, said her two sons were friends with J.J. Miller, and her sons were with J.J. late Monday evening.
Hendrickson also knew Cheryl Miller as a customer at the post office where Hendrickson works.
"The mom always came into the post office," Hendrickson said.
Hendrickson said she chatted at length with Cheryl Miller during the woman’s frequent post office trips.
Harris said an autopsy on both will likely take place Wednesday, but it appears both Millers died from gunshot wounds in a murder-suicide.
In April, Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police, a Porter County Sheriff’s Department release noted.
According to the Porter County Clerk’s Office, Cheryl Miller applied for a protective order from her husband. A Porter County judge granted her the order in April and declared the husband be removed from the residence. The couple filed for divorce April 13.
Cpl. Larry Laflower, public information officer for Porter County Sheriff’s Department, said protective orders are common when couples who file for divorce have a violent relationship.
Porter County Sheriff’s Department detectives are handling the investigation, along with the Porter County Coroner’s Office.
Kouts murder-suicide
NWI Times
Jon L. Hendricks
May 31, 2011 12:52 pm
The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed.
J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began.
Pleasant Township couple dead in apparent murder-suicide
NWI Times
Jeff Burton
May 31, 2011 - 4:45 pm
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/porter/kouts/pleasant-township-couple-dead-in-apparent-murder-suicide/article_b7cc0f0e-c74a-595f-857b-47663c9c9830.html
J.J. Miller, the 19-year-old son of Frederick and Cheryl Miller walks around his family's smoldering home Tuesday. Police said his estranged father threw a Molotov cocktail through the window, shot his wife and then turned the gun on himself. J.J. escaped before the shooting began. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times
The charred remains of a home smolder after an apparent murder-suicide early Tuesday in Pleasant Township, near Kouts. Police believe Frederick Miller threw a Molotov cocktail through a window of the home and then shot his estranged wife, Cheryl Miller, before killing himself. The couple's 19-year-old son, J.J. Miller, was asleep at the time but escaped unharmed. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times
The Porter County bomb squad truck leaves the scene of an apparent early morning murder-suicide near Kouts on Tuesday. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times
A charred car and still smoking ashes are all that remain Tuesday morning at the site of an apparent murder-suicide near a home along the Kankakee River. Jon L. Hendricks. The Times
J.J. Miller, right hugs friend Kris Hendrickson after his parents were killed Tuesday in an apparent murder-suicide near Kouts. Jon L. Hendricks.The Times
PLEASANT TOWNSHIP - An estranged husband and wife were found dead Tuesday morning in an apparent murder-suicide, officials said.
Frederick Miller, 59, and Cheryl Miller, 52, suffered apparent gunshot wounds, Porter County Coroner Chuck Harris said.
According to Porter County sheriff's police, officers were called around 3 a.m. Tuesday to a home in the 1200 block of South County Road 200 East, just north of the Kankakee River, for a reported domestic disturbance.
Police believe Frederick Miller threw a makeshift Molotov cocktail through a window in the home where his estranged wife and 19-year-old son were inside. Police said the man was served with a protective order in April and previously removed from the home by police.
Police said the couple's son, J.J. Miller, was able to escape the home and call police. He reportedly told officers he heard several gunshots from near the residence.
Police said when they arrived, they found the home fully engulfed in flames. Officers reported Cheryl Miller was found dead in the driveway and Frederick Miller was also found dead on the property from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Tuesday morning, only smoldering embers and a charred car remained at the site of the home adjacent to the Kankakee River.
Porter County detectives are heading the investigation, along with the Porter County coroner's office.
Harris said a forensic autopsy is scheduled for today in Mishawaka.
Porter County coroner: Deaths look to be murder-suicide
WSBT News
May 31, 2011
http://articles.wsbt.com/2011-05-31/murder-suicide_29606628
KOUTS, Ind. (AP) — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.
Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.
The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.
Porter County Corner Says a 52-year-old Woman and Her Estranged Husband were Found Shot to Death and Her House Burned
The Republic
May 31, 2011
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/f5bcdf64744245a39ca9a75ef5593f8b/IN--Kouts-Shooting/
KOUTS, Ind. — The Porter County coroner says a 52-year-old woman and her estranged husband were found shot to death and her house was fully engulfed in flames in what appears to be a murder-suicide.
Coroner Chuck Harris says a preliminary examination indicates that Cheryl Miller and 59-year-old Frederick Miller both died of gunshot wounds. He says an autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday.
The Times of Munster and the Post-Tribune of Merrillville report that the couple's 19-year-old son escaped from the home in rural Kouts about 3 a.m. Tuesday after Frederick Miller threw a flammable device through a window in the house. The sheriff's department says the son called police and reported hearing several gunshots.
The sheriff's department says Frederick Miller was removed from the home by police in April.
Police release names in apparent murder/suicide
Chesterton Tribune
Posted 5/31/2011
http://chestertontribune.com/PoliceFireEmergency/61112%20pcsp_releases_names_in_apparent.htm
The Porter County Sheriff’s Police has released the names of the Pleasant Township couple found dead at their home near Kouts early Tuesday morning, in an apparent murder/suicide.
The victim, Cheryl Miller, 52, was found to have multiple gunshot wounds to her back, Coroner Chuck Harris told the Chesterton Tribune today; her estranged husband, Frederick Miller, 59, a single gunshot wound to the head.
An autopsy was scheduled for this morning in Mishawaka. Harris was unable to say what sort of gun was used in the incident.
According to police, sometime prior to 3 a.m. Frederick Miller—who in April had been served with a protective order and removed from the residence at 1269S 200E—went to his wife’s home and threw a "flammable device" through a window. Both Cheryl Miller and her 19-year-old son were in the house at the time, police said, and the son, after hearing gunshots from near the residence, was able to flee and call 911.
On their arrival, officers found the home fully engulfed and Cheryl Miller deceased in the driveway and Frederick Miller deceased elsewhere on the property, police said.
"This case is being investigated as a possible murder/suicide and there is no evidence that suggests anyone else being involved in the incident," police said.
Cheryl Miller Obituary
Published in Post-Tribune
June 2, 2011
Cheryl Miller
Miller, Cheryl A. (Stevens) Cheryl A. (Stevens) Miller, 52, of Kouts, passed away Tuesday, May 31, 2011. She was born October 10, 1958 in Valparaiso to Ronald N. and Margaret J. (Hineline) Stevens. She was a graduate of Valparaiso High School and had been the manager at Marti's Place at Ramsey's Landing in Hebron. Cheryl enjoyed designing and making jewelry as well as a variety of other arts and crafts, and she was an avid gardener. Survivors include her son, JJ Miller of Kouts; step daughter, Layla (Jeff) Morgan of San Diego, CA; her father, Ron Stevens of Valparaiso; one sister, Leslie (Bruce) Richart of Porter; two nieces, Rebecca (Anthony) Tharp and Annette Stevens; four nephews, Jeremiah, Joshua and Ryan Richart, and Travis Stevens. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Stevens. A funeral service will be held on Saturday at 11:00 AM at Kosanke Funeral Home in Kouts with Pastor Jay Birky officiating. Visitation will be Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the "Benefit of JJ Miller" account at DeMotte State Bank.
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