MANSFIELD, Ohio — Richland County Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page said during a press conference Friday that the Patsy Hudson case is among the worst she’s been involved with in her career.
Although the remains have not yet been identified, Couch Page said the evidence points to Hudson being the victim of a horrific crime.
“Information received to date appears to support that Ms. Hudson was violently killed, dismembered and discarded in various locations in Richland County,” an emotional Couch Page said during the press conference.
“This community has not seen such a cold, calculated and depraved crime in some time,” she added.
Richland County Deputy Coroner Dan Burwell spoke as well. He said Forensic Anthropologist Dr. Dennis Dirkmaat and a group of graduate students from Mercyhurst University collected evidence from human remains on Sunday.
“We are relying on DNA and X-Ray evidence to help come to our cause and manner of death and identifying the remains,” Burwell said.
Hudson has been missing since July 4, when she was last seen in a dispute with her neighbors, Walter Renz and Linda Buckner.
Timeline of events
July 4, 2015: Hudson gets into a dispute with neighbor about a cat. A police report was filed at Mansfield Police Department.
Dec. 22: Missing person’s report is filed by Hudson’s sister, Patricia Rentz.
Jan. 12, 2016: The Mansfield Police Department asks for the public’s help in locating Hudson. Police learn Hudson was last seen on July 4 and that Hudson’s neighbors, Walter T. Renz and his girlfriend Linda Buckner, were moving out that same day.
Jan. 27, 2016: Mansfield police perform a search of Hudson’s house and her neighbor’s house, which belonged to Renz and Buckner. According to the search warrants, police were searching for signs of Hudson’s abduction. The warrant stated they were searching for items including a body, blood and other bodily fluids.
Feb. 1, 2016: Authorities launch a national manhunt in search for Renz and Buckner.
Feb. 4, 2016: Renz and Buckner are arrested in Tennessee after the U.S. Marshals Task Force tracked down the use of Hudson’s stolen credit card. Renz is charged with receiving stolen property (the credit card) and Buckner is charged with violating probation in Kentucky.
Feb. 7, 2016: Mansfield police report the remains of a body, believed to be that of the missing Patsy Hudson, have been discovered.
Feb. 10, 2016: Both Renz and Buckner are arraigned at Mansfield Municipal Court and plead not guilty on the charges of receiving stolen property (Hudson’s credit card).
Feb. 11, 2016: Renz appears for a preliminary hearing in front of Municipal Judge Frank Ardis, where his case was bound over to the Richland County Grand Jury.
Feb. 12, 2016: Law enforcement agencies hold a press conference to announce no new details can be released due to the fact that the investigation is ongoing. The remains found earlier in the week that are believed to belong to Hudson have not been positively identified. However, Richland County Prosecutor believes the information appears to support the allegation that a horrible crime was committed against Hudson.
Buckner, Renz’s girlfriend and suspected accomplice, will face Municipal Judge Jerry Ault Thursday, Feb. 18 for a preliminary hearing much like Renz’s on Thursday.
This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.
