The family of missing Delhi Township woman Kristan Strutz is hopeful that she is alive and implores anyone who knows something about her whereabouts to cooperate with police.“We’re hopeful this is a missing person kind of thing,” said Larry Emley, Kristan’s cousin and family spokesman. “We try not to think about the fact
that she might be deceased.”
Strutz’s husband, John Strutz, who reported his wife missing Saturday, has been arrested on charges of tampering with evidence and obstructing official business. He remains jailed in Hamilton County in lieu of $1 million bond.
Court records say he concealed human remains.
The Hamilton County Communications Center today released a recording in which John Strutz first reports his wife missing.
• Listen to the 911 call
In the call, made Saturday, the 30-year-old Delhi man tells the dispatcher: "Nobody in her family knows where she is at. And I don't know, I'm kind of starting to freak out because this is not like her."
Strutz explains in detail that he woke up at about 8:30 a.m. and he believed his wife had already left for a day of shopping with her aunt. But, when her aunt called looking for Kristan, he knew something was wrong.
• Photos: Search for missing woman continues
• Photos: Police search Delhi Twp. house
• Man charged with hiding remains
• See discussion on CincyMomsLikeMe.com
• More Delhi Township news
Rumors are flying in the community that Strutz was killed and her husband’s lawyer has said he believes John is under investigation for the death and hiding her body in a garbage can.
“There are horrible rumors out there,” Emley said. “They are very cruel and hurtful to the family.
“Don’t believe them,” Emley implored.
Police, who have searched the Strutz’ house and yard for days, as well of the Ohio River bank and the Rumpke dump, have directed all questions to prosecutors. Prosecutors are staying quiet on the case.
Hamilton County Coroner O’dell Owens has confirmed his office has some remains, but would not elaborate.
Investigators were back at the couple's Greenwall Avenue home today and were continuing their probe into Strutz's disappearance.
Police said their searches at the landfill and on the riverbank are now complete, but the investigation continues, said Delhi police Lt. Joe Macaluso.
Macaluso would not say what detectives were looking for or if anything was found at any of the locations.
Assistant Hamilton County Prosecutor Mark Piepmeier visited the Strutzes’ Greenwell Avenue home Tuesday afternoon to familiarize himself with the crime scene.
Kristan’s husband, John P. Strutz, 30, reported her missing Saturday afternoon, telling officers he last saw his 28-year-old wife Friday night.
Strutz is being held in the Hamilton County Jail on more than $1 million bond.
Strutz’s lawyer, Simon Groner, said Monday he believes his client is under investigation for killing his wife and putting her body in a garbage can.
Deanna Swindle, John Strutz’s sister, said, “I don’t believe my brother has done anything. He would never hurt her.”
Swindle, 35, of Brinkley, Ark., said the family is concerned about Kristan.
“We’re hoping and praying that everything with Kristan will be OK. We ask that people pray for everyone involved.”
Groner said at first his client cooperated with police, even allowing officers to search his car and house. But when he realized he was the target of the investigation, Strutz asked for a lawyer, ending the interview.
“My last instruction to him was not to cooperate with police,” Groner said. “At this point we’re in a fight.”
Outside the Strutz home Tuesday a small memorial grew, with cellophane wrapped roses, pastel-colored teddy bears and a balloon that said “We love you” placed under a tree.
Strutz, a welder who was laid off last spring, told police Saturday afternoon that he woke up that morning and found his wife missing, according to a missing person’s report.
He said he hadn’t seen her since about 10 p.m. Friday and didn’t know where she was.
Police interviewed Strutz into the early hours of Sunday morning, then allowed him to go home, Groner said.
With Strutz’s permission, officers searched his car and home. Groner said officers seized four bottles of bleach, which he said his client had used to clean his deck.
The couple has three daughters, ages 3, 5, and 6. Kristan Strutz has another child from a previous relationship.
She is on a planned medical leave from her job at Hillebrand Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
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