Double Homicide in Ohio City: Suspect Confesses, Injures Self in Apparent Suicide Attempt
Van Wert County Sheriff Thomas M. Riggenbach has announced that deputies are currently probing the deaths of two individuals discovered in Ohio City. On the morning of November 24, 2024, at approximately 8:09 a.m., his office received a distressing call from someone who reported that a friend had confessed to killing his fiancée and another man, and had expressed intentions of committing suicide. The caller mentioned that this friend had since left.
Upon receiving this information, a deputy was dispatched to the caller’s location for further details, while other deputies began investigating based on the initial information provided. Sheriff Riggenbach detailed that through conversations with multiple individuals, deputies were able to gather additional information. This led them to a residence in Ohio City where they sought to check on the welfare of the residents. Inside, they found a male and female who had both succumbed to gunshot wounds. The home was then secured, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called in to assist with the crime scene investigation.
In the wake of these tragic events, a GoFundMe account was established to support the funeral expenses for one of the victims. Lexi, a friend of the deceased, Shelby Coats, created the account to aid Shelby’s mother, Sheryl, with funeral costs and the care of Shelby’s two young daughters, Kimber, aged 4, and Kora, just 3 months old. Lexi described Shelby as an outstanding mother, nurse, daughter, friend, and an incredible individual who was cherished by all who knew her.
The victims were identified as Shelby M. Coats, 29, of Ohio City, and Andrew C. Lause, 30, of Delphos. During this time, deputies also located a vehicle at a different residence that belonged to the suspect who had made the statements about killing the two individuals. A perimeter was established around this property until a search warrant could be obtained. Once the warrant was secured, the Van Wert Police Department’s SRT team, with the support of deputies, entered the home.
Inside the residence, they found the suspect, Paul A. Boldman, 51, of Ohio City, who had sustained an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound but was still breathing. Officers and deputies promptly extracted him from the house and handed him over to Van Wert EMS personnel who were on standby. He was transported to Ohio Health Van Wert but was eventually pronounced dead.
The scene was further investigated by agents from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. The Van Wert County Coroner’s Office and troopers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post also provided assistance. The investigation into these tragic deaths continues.
