BLUE ASH, Ohio -- Blue Ash Police are investigating an unusual homicide after a 27-year-old woman was found stabbed to death in her apartment on Tuesday.
Thirty-year-old Nicholas Roesler has been charged with one count of murder in the stabbing death of Colleen Perry. Officers were dispatched to the Fox Run Apartment complex off Hunt Road to conduct a welfare check after Perry's coworker was concerned when Perry didn't show up for work at Parker's Tavern. Upon arrival, officers observed the apartment door slightly ajar and found Perry's body.
"At the crime scene it was pretty evident that a brutal attack had occurred," Police Chief Paul Hartinger said.
Perry and Roesler resided together in the apartment, and police said at a news conference Wednesday morning that Perry’s death seems to be the result of a domestic situation. Later, police said the two had been in a relationship for at least five years.
Roesler told police that Perry was stabbed in the rear seat of a Ford Escape and he carried her body into their apartment, according to court records. Police said Perry's car was found in a secluded area of Clermont County and they believe Roesler drove it there.
Roesler also told police that he punched Perry multiple times after she was stabbed, and that he cleaned her body and talked to her for several hours after she died.
Police said the investigation is ongoing and pending the coroner's report. They asked anyone with information regarding the incident to call the Blue Ash Police Department at 513-745-8691.
Homicides aren't common in Blue Ash. There have only been three reported there since 2005. Police said all the cases have been the result of domestic disputes.
"This type of crime is very unusual in our community, and we informed many of the residents at the scene it was an isolated incident, and no one else was in any danger," Sgt. Allison Schlie said.
