ALLIANCE, Ohio — A woman was killed Wednesday morning in Alliance, and an hours-long search for the person of interest ended with her husband being arrested in West Virginia.
According to Alliance Police Chief Aken-Ra X, it happened on the 300 block of West Ely Street.
"About 7 o’clock this morning, we got a call from what sounded like kids, said that they had found their mom," the chief told News 5. "It’s quite obvious to us that it’s a homicide."
Lt. Christopher McCord said in a release Wednesday afternoon that they believe 50-year-old Robert Ross killed his wife, Ashley. A warrant was issued for Ross' arrest, and the U.S. Marshals were enlisted to help track him down.
Ross was located in West Virginia on Wednesday afternoon, police said.
According to police, the U.S. Marshals Task Force team assisting in tracking Ross down reached out to the local task force in the area where he was located.
After searching the area, the task force located Ross's vehicle, which was occupied by him, and conducted a traffic stop with assistance from the local police department, police said.
Ross was taken into custody without incident, police said.
The death was first reported by Jordan Miller News.
Friends and neighbors of those involved reflected outside the home as investigators combed the property for clues.
"She was a very nice, loving person, four amazing kids," friend Amanda McAbee said. "I’m here with her kids now, and they’re going to need a lot of support."
Neighbor Frank Cassaday reflected on how the Ross family would help him shovel his driveway during those harsh winters.
"It’s a very sad situation — they were very nice people, never suspect it," he said. "Just super nice people, couldn’t ask for better neighbors."
The chief went on to say he believes this to be an isolated incident.
"We don’t think the public at large is at any kind of harm or threat of harm," he said. "We have our sights set on the person we believe may be responsible for this, and we’re going to seek that person out and get them off the streets."
According to Alliance Police, Ross will be booked into Stark County Jail on Friday evening and will be arraigned sometime next week.
