A 64-year-old man named Johnny Ball has recently been apprehended in connection with the tragic double murder of Kimberly Fulton and her 17-month-old son, Daniel. The case, which dates back to 1995, has seen Ball charged with a variety of serious offences, including aggravated murder, murder, perjury, obstructing justice, tampering with evidence, and obstructing official business. The announcement of his indictment was made by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office on Wednesday, 16th September.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/daniel-kimberly-fulton-92126-9a1a4b25fa3d4fa1a7675d5e3f909b82.jpg)
This latest development marks a significant turn in a case that has haunted the community of Prairie Township in Washington County for decades. The bodies of Kimberly, 28, and Daniel were discovered in a mobile home that had been set ablaze on 5th March 1995. Initially, authorities believed the deaths may have been accidental. However, growing suspicions from the victims’ family led to a reevaluation of the case.
Lieutenant Bruce Schuck of the Washington County Sheriff’s Office noted that the family found the circumstances of the deaths suspicious, particularly regarding the location of the bodies. This prompted investigators to conduct a second autopsy after obtaining an order to exhume the remains in May 1995. The results of this forensic examination revealed that both Kimberly and Daniel had died before the fire was set, suggesting foul play.
The autopsy findings further indicated that, although the remains had been severely burned, there was evidence pointing towards possible strangulation or smothering as the causes of death. These revelations shed new light on the investigation and set the stage for further inquiry.
The case was revitalised in 2019 when Lieutenant Schuck, alongside his colleague Lieutenant Jeff Seevers and the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation, took the initiative to reopen the investigation. Their efforts culminated in the indictment of Scott Hickman in October 2021. Hickman was found guilty on multiple counts related to the murders and is currently serving a sentence of 20 years to life in prison.
With Ball’s recent arrest, he now stands as the second individual implicated in this grim case, which continues to unfold. Following the announcement of his charges, Lieutenant Schuck expressed hope that these developments would bring some measure of closure to the grieving family. He emphasised the commitment of law enforcement to pursue any fresh leads in this complex investigation.
Johnny Ball is scheduled to appear in court for his arraignment on Tuesday, 22nd September. As the legal proceedings commence, many will be closely following the case that has remained unresolved for so long, hoping that justice will finally be served for Kimberly Fulton and her young son.
The tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the long-lasting impact of violent crime on families and communities, illustrating that the pursuit of justice can sometimes take generations. As the investigation continues, the authorities remain determined to uncover the truth surrounding the events of that fateful day.