HOCKING HILLS – Two teenagers have been charged in the death of 44-year-old Victoria Schafer of Chillicothe. Schafer was killed when a tree branch fell from unnatural causes into the ravine where she was on a photo shoot.
Schafer was in the stairs new the lower falls area, when she was struck from a falling branch from above, she died at the scene of the accident.
The teens according to Hocking Hills and Ohio Department of Natural Resources were arrested on October 10th.
Police have attributed the information from the public that helped solve this crime.
The teens are being held at a juvenile detention center in Lancaster. Names will not be released unless they are decided to be tried as adults.
Statement from Hocking County Sheriffs office:
On Monday, September 2nd, Hocking County Sheriff’s Office detectives assisted the Ohio Department of Natural Resources investigate the death of Victoria Schafer, 44 of Chillicothe, who was killed by a falling six foot section of a tree while on the stairs near Old Man’s Cave.
Investigators were able to determine that the falling branch was not a natural occurrence and continued their investigation into the incident.
Detectives received information about two teenage boys who might have involvement in Schafer’s death.
Investigators conducted interviews with the two individuals where they obtained a confession regarding the incident.
Two 16 year old males were taken into custody on Thursday, October 10th, and charged with reckless homicide.
Due to the defendants’ ages, the names are unable to be released.
They were transported to the Multi County Juvenile Detention Center where they will await court proceedings.
