Murder of Tina Harmon

Tina Harmon
Born Tina Marie Harmon
June 9, 1969
Creston, Ohio, United States
Died October 29, 1981 (1981-10-30) (aged 12)
Creston, Ohio, United States
Cause of death Strangulation
Nationality American
Citizenship United States
Occupation Student
Known for Murder victim

Tina Marie Harmon (born June 9, 1969 – October 29, 1981)[1] was a 12-year-old American girl who was abducted, raped and murdered on October 29, 1981 after being dropped off in Lodi, Ohio.[2] After the discovery of her body, she was later buried at the Maple Mound Cemetery.[1] One man was originally convicted of the victim's murder on circumstantial evidence but was eventually released when the conviction was overturned. Harmon's murder was solved in 2010 when DNA from the individual who raped her was matched to Robert Anthony Buell.[3][4]

Case history

The polyester fibers found on Tina's body, which were from the same van that Krista Harrison was abducted with

Tina Harmon was reportedly last seen with a man in his twenties after she had been dropped off by her father's girlfriend in Lodi, Ohio.[2][5][6] Harmon's body was later found next to an oil well site in a nearby town, five days after her abduction.[6] Nutmeg-colored carpet fibers and dog hair were found on her clothing.[2][7]

In 1982, Ernest Holbrook, Jr. and Henry Ray Rucker were convicted of both the rape and murder of Harmon, but after complications with the witnesses testimonies, one of them recanted. Rucker was given a new trial and was released in 1983.[2][7][6]

Robert Anthony Buell

In 1984, Robert Anthony Buell was convicted of the 1982 murder of Krista Lea Harrison.[7] The dog hairs on Harmon's body were matched to the ones found on a dog buried in Buell's yard, once DNA testing became possible.[6] Buell was later matched to Harmon's murder by comparing his DNA samples with the ones found on Harmon's clothing several years later.[5][8]

The nutmeg-colored carpet fibers that were found on both bodies of Harmon and Harrison matched as well.[3] However, Buell was never tried for her murder.[2][7] In 2002, Buell was executed for the murder of Harrison at age 62.[9]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Reynolds, Krystin (2003). "Tina Marie Harmon". Find A Grave.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 Rink, Matthew (2008-11-25). "Family of Tina Harmon, abducted and killed in 1981, wants police to reopen the case". IndeOnline.com. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  3. 1 2 Renner, James (2010-03-26). "Case Closed!". IndeOnline.com. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
  4. ↑ Renner, James (4 November 2011). "The Final Word on the Tragic Death of Krista Harrison". Retrieved 17 March 2014.
  5. 1 2 Renner, James (2007-11-26). "The Serial Killer's Disciple". Cleveland Scene.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Renner, James (30 December 2008). "Ghosts Of Wayne County Doubts Haunt An Old Murder And The Execution That Followed". Cleveland Scene. Retrieved 24 February 2014.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Monahan, Richard, dir. "Material Evidence." Forensic Files. TLC, TruTV. 31 Oct. 2000. Television.
  8. ↑ Renner, James (7 October 2011). "The Final Word on Krista Harrison". WordPress.com. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  9. ↑ "Robert Anthony Buell #801". ClarkProsecutor.org. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
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