An eight-year-old boy, Martonio Wilder, was found dead inside a trash bag in the attic of his Columbus home last Friday evening, June 28th, 2024. His mother, LaShanda Delores Wilder, 32, has been charged with murder.
Police were called to the home on Olmstead Avenue after LaShanda Wilder reported her son missing. Following up on the report, officers obtained a search warrant and discovered Martonio’s body in the attic.
An autopsy conducted by the Franklin County Coroner’s office revealed Martonio died from “deep neck compression.”
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The cause of death has been ruled a homicide.
Detectives are still investigating the circumstances surrounding Martonio’s death. Court records show that police had been called to the Wilder residence on 22 occasions over the past year and a half. The nature of those calls has not been made public.
LaShanda Wilder has been charged with murder in connection with her son’s death. Her girlfriend, Johnna Lowe, 33, has also been arrested and faces charges of obstruction of justice.
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