The residence on Wintersteen Run Rd, where two people were found dead on Thursday evening, can be seen from the road. (Photo by Ryan Applegate)
By Ryan Applegate
Peoples Defender
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office is continuing its investigation into an apparent murder suicide discovered Thursday on Wintersteen Run Road in Blue Creek. Deputies were first called to the area after a concerned friend reported being unable to reach the residents. According to a press release from the Sheriff’s office, deputies arrived to conduct a welfare check on Jacqueline Pochel, who lived at the property.
When deputies reached the primary residence, a trailer visible from the road, they found Pochel deceased on the front porch with what appeared to be significant head trauma.
Deputies then approached a second residence on the property, a nearby camper trailer. After knocking and identifying themselves, deputies heard a single gunshot from inside. A deputy returned to his cruiser to request backup. FOX19 reported that the Brown County Sheriff’s Office, the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation responded to assist, and crews canvassed the area with drones and canines while searching for weapons on the property.
A Special Response Team from the Ohio State Highway Patrol later entered the camper after a perimeter had been secured. Inside, officers found Kyle Hageman deceased from what appeared to be a self inflicted gunshot wound. Officials have not released additional details regarding the relationship between Pochel and Hageman, though FOX19 reported that neighbors said a 69-year old woman lived at the home with a younger man she had taken in a couple of years ago. Authorities have not confirmed that information.
Investigators from the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation processed the scene through the night and into Friday morning. A deputy on scene Friday told The People’s Defender that the area remains an active crime scene while evidence collection continues. WCPO reported that dispatchers initially described the incident as a possible shooting when officers were sent to the location around 6 p.m. Thursday, and that BCI characterized the call as a questioned death investigation when their agents arrived.
The Adams County Sheriff’s office has confirmed that there was no threat to the public at that time. No further details have been released regarding a possible motive or timeline of events, and authorities have not said whether there had been any prior calls for service at the property.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office and BCI continue to investigate. Additional updates will be provided as more information becomes available from law enforcement.
