Celina, OH: Celina PD Release More Info On Murder-Suicide

Monday, 01 November 2010
CELINA — The Celina Police Department is continuing its investigation into the apparent murder-suicide that was reported on Friday afternoon. Court records have confirmed that Eric L. Vann was under a no contact court order to stay away from his wife and her residence at 719 S. Elm St., Celina. The order was in place as part of an ongoing court case based upon a Sept. 11 arrest for using weapon while intoxicated, discharging a firearm within the city limits, and OVI/BAC. The order had been modified to allow Eric Vann to have visitation with his children.
The Vann’s were married in February 1995. Information provided by family members indicates April Vann had recently filed separation paperwork.
Preliminary autopsy reports confirm that both subjects died as a result of single gunshot wounds to the head. Eric Vann’s wound appears to be self-inflicted. The investigation indicates that shortly before the police department received the call Eric Vann parked his vehicle on South Street, about a half a block from his estranged wife’s home. He walked south, behind the homes in the 700 block of South Elm Street to the rear of 719 S. Elm St.
He then jumped the fence and walked through the back yard, entering the house where he located his wife in a laundry room and immediately shot her before turning the gun on himself. There were no indications of a conversation, argument, fight or struggle.
There has been much speculation about exactly what the children present in the home at the time of the shooting witnessed. It is still the opinion of the investigators that, while some of the children may have heard the gunshots, none of them actually saw the incident occur.
This is based not only by their independent statements on the day of the shooting, but also by the physical layout of the basement and laundry room. Other physical evidence, such as the position of the bodies, also supports this determination.
The children were subject to the aftermath of the shooting and based upon seeing the bodies in the laundry room made their decision to gather everyone together and seek help from a neighbor.