MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — Authorities are investigating after Middletown Police officers found a woman's body inside a barrel at a man's home Tuesday afternoon.
Police said officers met with 35-year-old William Slaton at his home on Yankee Road for a report of a woman inside a barrel at about 1 p.m.
When officers told Slaton about the complaint, he went back into the house and out to the back yard before tossing a barrel over the fence. Officers checked the barrel and found an unidentified woman's body inside.
Police then arrested Slaton, who now stands charged with gross abuse of a corpse, failure to report a crime or death, and tampering with evidence.
A search warrant was executed at Slaton's house and police collected evidence Tuesday. After an autopsy is completed by the Butler County Coroner’s Office and the case reviewed with the Butler County Prosecutor’s Office, additional charges may be filed, police said.
Anyone with information about this crime should contact Detective Mynhier at (513) 425-7720.
