ASHLAND – The suspect in the Covert Court abduction and murders was officially charged Thursday afternoon, just hours before members of the community gathered with one of the victim’s family members for a candlelight vigil.
According to a press release from the Ashland County Prosecutor’s Office, Shawn Michael Grate faces two counts of murder and one count of kidnapping.
A bond hearing scheduled for 5:15 p.m. Thursday in Ashland County Common Pleas Court was continued until 3 p.m. Friday at the request of the state, according to court administrator Tina Carpenter.
According to the criminal complaint filed in Ashland County Common Pleas Court Thursday, Grate caused the deaths of Stacey Hicks, also known as Stacey Stanley, and the second victim who has not yet been identified.
The murder count for the unidentified victim alleges Grate caused her death between Aug. 16 and Sept. 13. The second count alleges that Grate caused the death of Stanley between Sept. 8 and Sept. 13.
The kidnapping complaint also alleges that Grate abducted the rescued woman on Sept. 11 and held her for the purpose of engaging in sexual activity. The prosecutor’s office has a policy to not identify sexual assault victims.
Each murder count carries a prison term of 15 years to life and the kidnapping charge carries a possible prison sentence of 3 to 11 years, according to Ashland County Prosecutor Chris Tunnell.
Tunnell said he and his office are still in the early stages of reviewing a large volume of evidence gathered by the Ashland Police Department, the state Bureau of Criminal Identification and Investigation and other agencies. More charges could be filed at a later date.
Grate was arrested Tuesday after the kidnapping victim escaped her restraints and called 911. Police arrived and found her and Grate alive. After obtaining search warrants, Ashland Police and BCI discovered two bodies in one of the homes on Covert Court, across from the Fourth Street Laundromat.
Grate then led authorities to a third body in Madison Township in a wooded area behind a burned-out residence at 1027 Park Ave. East. Richland County authorities have not identified the victim.
The homes on Covert Court are owned by Pump House Ministries. Thursday morning, a Pump House employee started boarding up windows and doors on the houses.
A vigil of hope
Thursday evening, hundreds gathered in the parking lot behind the homes on Covert Court to remember Stacey Stanley and the two unidentified victims.
“We will be a shining light, here on the corner for each other,” said Pastor Tina Hunt of Ashland First Church of the Brethren as volunteers distributed candles and helped light the candles.
The crowd sang along as a bagpipe player from the College of Wooster played “Amazing Grace.”
Stanley’s uncle, Ron Stanley, gave an impassioned speech about his niece, calling her a hero.
“She died so that girl could live,” Ron Stanley said.
Stacey Stanley went missing on Sept. 8 after getting a flat tire at the BP Station at Main and Union streets. Her car was found on Sept. 11 on Ninth Street. Her family canvassed the area around Covert Court on Sunday and Monday, just days before their loved one was discovered.
“Stacey was a fighter,” her uncle said. “He did not submit to him for one second, I guarantee it.”
During the vigil, a rainbow appeared in the sky, which those in attendance took as a sign.
“That’s from God. That’s his promise right there,” Ron Stanley said.
Other members of her family were touched by the community’s support.
“It means a lot that everybody was here to support my mom,” Stacey’s son Kurtis Stanley said. “But it hurts just to stand in front of this place and see it.”
Stacey’s sister Jeana Stanley said she has gotten so many messages of support online from people that it’s has been overwhelming.
“People of Ashland, thank you for everything. This means a lot to my family,” Jeana said. “Like he said, my sister didn’t die for no reason and that’s the positive that I try to focus on because that young lady was saved because of it.”
One of the event’s organizers, Patricia Wires, said she was overwhelmed by the way the community turned out. She thanked Trinity Lutheran, Denbow Funeral Home and Wappner Funeral Home for donating candles and many other members of the community helped as well.
