1988 Paris Township Cold Case Identified

A local true crime story.

Way back then, in 1988, a homicide was discovered in Paris Township. While mowing his property off of Cable Line Road a local property owner noticed something shiny in a shallow grave, and human remains were discovered there.

The victim was unidentifyable at that time, and the remains were buried as “John Doe” in the Paris Township Hawley Cemetery. Just this past April of 2023, 30 plus years later, The Porchlight Project, an organization of support for closing cold cases; Portage County and Ohio authorities were able to use evidence of the crime to ultimately identify John Doe as David Ralph Kaziateck.

Portage County detectives then worked with Paris Township Trustee Ed Samec and Dean Funeral Home to obtain and place a marker for David’s grave.

The mystery of David Ralph Kaziateck’s death isn’t solved yet though. As the online account about David states “Police are left with more questions than answers at this time.” The Sheriff’s Office is asking for the public’s help in reporting any known information about David Kaziateck to the Portage County Detective Bureau.

NEWS COVERAGE:

Read the full story on The Porchlight Project website
Find out more about The Porchlight Project

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