OH OH - Patricia Stichler, 30, brutally murdered, Sylvania, 2 Jan 1985

[Needclosure4myfam]

Information says that Patty threw a NYE party with about 20 or so people in attendance the day before her body was found. A bathroom window was wide open. I wonder if someone from the party went into the bathroom and unlocked the window during the party and then snuck in the next night to rape Patty. Were all of the party attendees identified? Were they tested for their DNA?

I sure hope that they run the DNA through the databases like Ancestry to see if they can identify relatives.

No sexual assault

 

[Needclosure4myfam]

Information says that Patty threw a NYE party with about 20 or so people in attendance the day before her body was found. A bathroom window was wide open. I wonder if someone from the party went into the bathroom and unlocked the window during the party and then snuck in the next night to rape Patty. Were all of the party attendees identified? Were they tested for their DNA?

I sure hope that they run the DNA through the databases like Ancestry to see if they can identify relatives.

No sexual assa

You’re more than welcome, Max. And by the way, welcome to Websleuths.

It sounds as if you have done a LOT already. I don’t know how long it will take to move the thread, but it looks as if several have found this one, so I hope you will keep us posted, even though you can’t really post the results of your conversation with Patricia’s daughter here, according to terms of service (TOS).

When you talk to Patricia’s daughter, you might want to tell her about WS and encourage her to become a ”verified insider” so she can post info here that isn’t in the media. Of course, since this is still an “active case” it’s important not to post information that could compromise the investigation. Although law enforcement seems to move slowly, they have to build a strong enough case that will result in an arrest and conviction. That can seem quite tedious to onlookers like us!

Verification Process for Professional or Insider Posters

The Rules

how do I become a verified insider?

 

[PayrollNerd]

No sexual assa

how do I become a verified insider?

Verified Professional and Insider Members
You can go to this forum and click on the different links to learn about how the process works. It is my understanding it is an easy process. Welcome to Websleuths and we hope you can help!!

 

[Number8]

I'm so sorry for your loss Kirsten and I hope that Alwaysbotheredme will come forward to speak to you or LE. As we all know, sometimes the smallest details or suspicions can crack a case.

A few thoughts and questions I have about this case:
- No sexual assault, and 19 stabbings, indicate extreme rage and someone that knew Patti. Did any of the kids hear anything else, any voices or conversation?
- Do the forensics indicate if the cuts on the shower/window coverings were from the outside in, or from the inside out? It would be very easy to stage that and open a window to deflect blame on an intruder

 

[MaxMillion_ Calchou4890]

hi guys I'm back. I'm sorry, I haven't been active and I have some questions along with answers to your questions I have read. i do know the name of the current detective om the case and will be contacting her soon. its good to see you here Needcosure4myfam. glad you found the thread. and appreciate you coming forward alwaysbotheredme

 

[MaxMillion_ Calchou4890]

I'm so sorry for your loss Kirsten and I hope that Alwaysbotheredme will come forward to speak to you or LE. As we all know, sometimes the smallest details or suspicions can crack a case.

A few thoughts and questions I have about this case:
- No sexual assault, and 19 stabbings, indicate extreme rage and someone that knew Patti. Did any of the kids hear anything else, any voices or conversation?
- Do the forensics indicate if the cuts on the shower/window coverings were from the outside in, or from the inside out? It would be very easy to stage that and open a window to deflect blame on an intruder

this one i know after talking to a reporter. it was from the inside out and it was believed at the time that the knife sheath found was not "placed" but dropped in a way that makes it unlikely to have been an accidental drop.

 

[CountSnap]

All the best to you MaxMillion. Just saw this case on Ohio cold case sight and so glad someone is working it.
Hope you find all of the answers.

 

[Betty P]

this one i know after talking to a reporter. it was from the inside out and it was believed at the time that the knife sheath found was not "placed" but dropped in a way that makes it unlikely to have been an accidental drop.

Just to clarify, does LE think part of the crime scene might have been staged? If so, that's very interesting. RIP to Patricia and best wishes to you and your family.

Let's hope the coming year will see a resolution to this terrible murder. It would be tragic to think the person who killed your mom is still out living and enjoying their life. If so, it's time for justice.

 

[dotr]

Sep. 13, 2021 rbbm.
Case File: 37 years later, the daughters of Patricia Stichler are still seeking justice
''OLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - She was a successful young single mother with three little girls living in a seemingly safe neighborhood in Sylvania.

But 37 years ago, 30-year old Patricia Stichler was brutally murdered in her home while her three young daughters slept down the hall in the same house.

Her 11-year old daughter Andrea would wake up early that morning to find her mother in a pool of blood after she was stabbed multiple times and her throat slashed.''

''Her middle daughter Kirsten Kelley, who now lives in Florida, is working with a new team of investigators to renew the investigation with the latest DNA technology.''

“I think she was being watched or stalked or somebody had a personal vendetta against her,” said Lucas County Coroner Dr. Diane Barnett, who specializes in cold cases.''

''One of the most haunting parts of Patricia’s case is that her three young daughters were asleep in the house at the time of their mother’s murder. Her oldest daughter Andrea woke up to find her mother dead. Police say she called their father, who called police as he headed over to the house.''

''Surprisingly, Kirsten says an arrest and conviction at this point aren’t the priority for her and her sisters. They just want answers.

“Things like, how’d you get in our house? Did you see us? Why didn’t you kill us? Did you walk past our bedrooms? Why did you kill our mother? Why did you leave her there? Help us understand the unknowns,” she said. “Help her children end their suffering because it’s not fair to any of us.”

If you have any information about the Patricia Stichler case, you are asked to call the Sylvania City Police Department at 419-885-0467. Or call the 13ABC I-Team: 419-534-3838.

You can also call the I-Team with a case that needs solving.''

 

[dotr]

Just to add, not that there is any connection whatsoever, but this recent case in Toronto Canada is very similar except that the victim was bludgeoned.
The reason i bring it up is to point out the type of people who were found guilty.
The mother, a nurse was asleep in her bed, 3 young daughters also asleep in each of their beds when 2 loser homeless young guys - complete strangers, broke in and did terrible things that the husband had to see when he got home.
fwiw, imo.

Canada - Rhoderie Estrada, 41, murdered by intruder, Toronto, May 2018 *arrest*
July 7 2021
Trial for 2 men accused of murdering, sexually assaulting Toronto mother during break-and-enter begins
''Richards told the jury a screen from a main-level window in the kitchen area of the house had been removed. The sliding portion of the window had been opened as well. Forensic officers also found a second discarded screen from a basement window on the walkway next to the house.

“Pry marks were clearly visible on the metal frame,” said Richards, who earlier told the jury that the first officer on scene noticed a large metal pry bar or chisel type took that lay resting on the footboard of the bed where Estrada was found and later pronounced dead.''

 

[Betty P]

Great news story, it sounds very promising! From your link:

Chief Schnoor says to this day it’s unclear whether someone broke into the home through a bathroom window or they knew Patricia and she may have let them in.

“There is evidence both circumstantial and existing evidence that could lead to both theories,” he said.

So, its hard to determine if some of the crime scene was staged.

Both Patricia’s ex-husband and her boyfriend at the time have been investigated and never charged in the case. Police say they have other leads, including strong DNA evidence that is now being tested using the latest technology called forensic genealogy. Detective Sergeant Justin Music is now the lead investigator in the case.

“They can upload it and try and compare it to other family members,” Music said. “So there might be a connection, a distant relative and then what we can do is work from that distant relative to bring us closer to a potential suspect.”

This is very good news, I hope they're able to find the killer.

 

[Betty P]

Just to add, not that there is any connection whatsoever, but this recent case in Toronto Canada is very similar except that the victim was bludgeoned.
The reason i bring it up is to point out the type of people who were found guilty.
The mother, a nurse was asleep in her bed, 3 young daughters also asleep in each of their beds when 2 loser homeless young guys - complete strangers, broke in and did terrible things that the husband had to see when he got home.
fwiw, imo.

Canada - Rhoderie Estrada, 41, murdered by intruder, Toronto, May 2018 *arrest*
July 7 2021
Trial for 2 men accused of murdering, sexually assaulting Toronto mother during break-and-enter begins
''Richards told the jury a screen from a main-level window in the kitchen area of the house had been removed. The sliding portion of the window had been opened as well. Forensic officers also found a second discarded screen from a basement window on the walkway next to the house.

“Pry marks were clearly visible on the metal frame,” said Richards, who earlier told the jury that the first officer on scene noticed a large metal pry bar or chisel type took that lay resting on the footboard of the bed where Estrada was found and later pronounced dead.''

Yes, it could have been strangers, though that may be less likely due to the time of year. Toledo in early January is very cold. Though not impossible, homeless predators are probably less likely to be wandering around, looking for victims.

That's not to say it isn't someone who is a stranger or is on the periphery of Patricia's social circle. Someone who saw her at the gym where she worked or at some other business she frequented who then stalked and killed her.

I was also a little intrigued by her daughter's statement that there were a lot of phone calls to the house that evening, more than usual. I hope LE was able to track down some of those calls by talking to friends and family, but tracing local calls was probably impossible back then.

Temperature that night was 28 degrees, a little windy and cloudy.

Swanton, OH Weather History | Weather Underground

 

[dotr]

Have LE ever stated whether or not they are sure the perp is a male?
1985 murder of Sylvania woman is part of cold case initiative

Patricia "Patty" Stichler
Sept 27 2012 rbbm.
''Authorities with the Sylvania Police Department believe Patricia "Patty" Stichler, 30, struggled violently during an attack in her bedroom on January 2, 1985. The girl found her mother's bloody and mostly nude body in their home's master bedroom, which was right next to the room where the girl and her two sisters were sleeping.''

''Stichler was divorced at the time of her death, had previously worked at 21st Century Health Spas, and had thrown a New Year's Eve party for at least 20 people the day before her body was found. Police said there were no signs of forced entry to the doors, but a bathroom window was found open. Knife cuts were found in the window's shades and in the shower curtain.''

 

[samsmom]

 

[Betty P]

DBM

Having some problems with the web site today.

 

[Betty P]

'It's all worth this day today' | After 37 years of waiting, a murder suspect is named in Sylvania mother's cold case

Hear what the family of Patricia Stichler has to say and how investigators found the suspect.

www.wtol.com

Crime scene DNA and genetic genealogy research eventually led them to a 17 year old neighbor of Patricia named Michael Mellus.

Investigators found that the family did not know Mellus, so there was no reason for his DNA to be found in the home. WTOL 11 found that the Mellus family did move from the neighborhood after the murder and police say when they broke the news to the family that Michael is a suspect, they were shocked.

News that was painful, but also a relief for Patricia's daughter Kirsten.

"We've lived very full wonderful lives by choice, but not without a lot of pain and unnecessary suffering at the hands of a 17-year-old," said Kelley.

Mellus died four years after Patricia was killed, in a single-vehicle car crash in 1989 while stationed in North Carolina with the U.S. Army, which he enlisted in after graduating from high school.

I'm sure its a relief for Patricia's family to learn this information, though it probably brings back a lot of sad memories of the loss of their mom. Also glad that it clears the names of others who were unjustly suspected of killing her.

Another local news story

Sylvania police release new information in 1985 Patricia Stichler case

Kirsten Kelley was 9-years-old on Jan. 2, 1985, when her mother Patricia Stichler was murdered.

nbc24.com

Good work by LE in continuing to investigate Patricia's murder all these years. Even with DNA, it sounds like they had a difficult time tracing to the suspect via genealogical research. Good of them to keep looking.

 

[SolVic]

Michael Mellus will make a fine addition to my collection.

 

[summergirl1]

I wonder what motivated her much younger neighbor to do that?