Ohio Women Accused of Driving Deceased Man’s Body to Bank

In a disturbing turn of events, two Ohio women have been charged with gross abuse of a corpse and theft from a person in a protected class after allegedly driving the body of an 80-year-old man to a bank to withdraw money from his account.

As per court records, Karen Casbohm, 63, and Loreen Bea Feralo, 55, faced charges on Tuesday in Ashtabula Municipal Court. The accusations include gross abuse of a corpse and theft from a person in a protected class.

Bizarre Sequence of Events Unfolds:

Authorities were alerted on Monday evening when two women reportedly dropped off the deceased individual at the Ashtabula County Medical Center emergency room without identifying themselves or the deceased. Subsequently, the deceased was identified as 80-year-old Douglas Layman of Ashtabula.

Details of the Allegations:

Law enforcement officials assert that Casbohm and Feralo, along with an unnamed third individual, discovered Layman’s deceased body at their shared residence. 

They allegedly transported Layman’s body to a bank, where they withdrew money from his account. Notably, Layman’s body was positioned in the vehicle in a manner visible to bank staff, a tactic reportedly permitted in previous visits.

Relationship Dynamics Unveiled:

Lt. Mike Palinkas disclosed to WEWS-TV that one of the accused women had a long-term live-in relationship with Layman, while the other had been residing at the same location for a few months. 

Palinkas further elaborated that accessing funds from Layman’s account was purportedly a customary practice for them, though a specific rationale for their actions on that particular day remains elusive.

Legal Proceedings against Ohio women:

Casbohm was arraigned and is being held on a $5,000 bond, whereas Feralo’s arraignment is scheduled for the following week. The accused’s legal representation remains unclear, as attempts to contact them or their attorneys have been unsuccessful.

Ongoing Investigations and Potential Ramifications:

Authorities have indicated that investigations are ongoing, with the possibility of additional charges. 

Furthermore, the coroner’s office has stated that determining the cause of Layman’s death through autopsy could take up to eight months, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the need for a thorough examination.