UPDATE: New details emerge in Ontario probe of ‘suspicious circumstances’ on August Drive

ONTARIO — Arise Renovations employee Lucas Burkholter said he encountered conditions unlike anything he had ever seen upon entering 1876 August Drive in Ontario on Wednesday.

“When we entered the home, there was a very strong odor immediately,” Burkhalter said.

There appeared to be fecal matter and food debris splattered across walls, ceilings, doors and extending into nearby areas.

“There were large amounts of flies and heavy fly debris not only on the walls but on the ceiling and into adjacent rooms,” he said.

Burkhalter said the renovation team also observed a set of handcuffs in a room lined with plywood, with the windows covered.

Ontario Police are investigating what they described as “suspicious circumstances” discovered inside the vacant home. The agency requested assistance from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation due to the findings.

“At this time, all known individuals associated with this address have been identified, located, and confirmed to be safe,” Ontario Police Lt. Tony Grimwood stated in a press release issued late Friday afternoon.

Sgt. Casey Bly previously told Richland Source there is no active threat to the public. Anyone with information about the property or any suspicious activity in the area is asked to contact the Ontario Police Department at 419-529-2115.

Burkhalter said the contractor asked Arise Renovations to provide a quote for removing sections of walls and flooring believed to be contaminated. He identified the contractor as someone who introduced himself as Travis with Chicago Angels Remodeling Services.

“As we are working to investigate further, we will update when we receive further information. At this time, we will not be doing any in person interviews due to the need to focus on the investigation,” Grimwood said.

Burkhalter details troubling conditions inside home

According to Burkhalter, the renovations team entered the home on April 8, shortly after receiving the request. It accessed the property using a lockbox that did not function properly.

Due to the severity of the conditions and uncertainty about the materials present, he said the team did not touch anything inside the home and ultimately declined the job.

“We exited after documenting the scene,” he said. “It was honestly very sad for the surrounding neighborhood and community to see a home in that condition and to imagine what had taken place.”

Burkhalter said the home appeared to be in significant disrepair. He noted the basement had flooded, with visible mold and moisture issues and the windows throughout the house remained open.

“The smell carried through multiple levels of the home,” he said. “Overall, the condition of the property was severe and difficult to walk into.”

Burkhalter said the contractor provided photos dated in March as part of the work order to show what they described as contaminated drywall and insulation. He took additional photos during the April 8 visit.

(Graphic photos show room in biohazardous conditions and restraints on floor. Provided by Lucas Burkhalter, Arise Renovations.)

While at the property, Burkhalter said a neighbor approached his team and shared concerns about who had been living in the home.

According to Richland County Property Transfers dated April 1, the house was purchased by the U.S. Bank Trust National Association for $201,124.48.

“Because someone had already removed personal items and we were being contacted to assess demolition, we assumed the situation had already been addressed or was being handled,” he said.

Authorities detail findings inside home

Officers with the Ontario Police Department responded Thursday afternoon to the unoccupied residence at 1876 August Drive after receiving a report of concerning conditions inside the property.

According to police, investigators have since completed a comprehensive search of the home following the execution of a search warrant.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) assisted in processing the scene, yielding physical evidence.

Authorities confirmed the residence was unoccupied and contained no furniture or personal belongings. However, investigators documented what they described as biohazardous conditions throughout the inside of the home.

Officials found multiple walls inside the home covered in what appeared to be fecal matter, according to the release. In one of the bedrooms, investigators also discovered a mount bolted directly into the floor. Attached to the mount were two chains and two sets of handcuffs.

BCI technicians collected the restraint hardware along with other materials for further laboratory analysis. Officials said a primary focus of the investigation will be touch DNA analysis to help identify individuals who may have been present in — or possibly confined within — the home.

Ontario Police said the investigation remains in its early stages as authorities work to establish a timeline of events connected to the property.