2 Charged In Rarden Murder

The Scioto Sheriff’s Office arrested two Waverly men for the murder of a 68-year-old man in Rarden last February. The crime happened back on February 3 on Wallace Road.

Around 7:30 am a neighbor called 911 and said he’d found Lonnie Elliot, 68, injured in his front yard. Earlier the neighbor had heard a gunshot and observed a vehicle fleeing the area.  When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Mr. Elliot unresponsive and suffering from multiple injuries. They later discovered Mr. Gilbert’s wife, Sabrina Gilbert, 38, was also injured.

Investigators were told that Elliot got into an argument with Ms. Gilbert, who lived in a camper at the same address, and her guest, Dustin Underwood. Both Ms. Gilbert and Mr. Underwood claimed that Mr. Elliot took out a firearm during an argument. They told police that Mr. Elliot shot Ms. Gilbert in the side. Mr. Underwood then fought with Mr. Elliot and took the weapon away from him. Underwood then put Ms. Gilbert in a vehicle to rush her to the hospital in Pike County.

Medics transported Mr. Elliot to Cabell Huntington Hospital via air ambulance.  Doctors initially treated Ms. Gilbert at a Pike County hospital. Medics then transported her to  Grant Medical Center in Columbus via air ambulance.  Doctors treated and released Ms. Gilbert.  Mr. Elliot died on April 29. Officials ordered an autopsy performed.

After what Sheriff Donini described as a ‘lengthy investigation,’ the prosecutor presented the case to the Scioto County Grand Jury back on October 16. The Grand Jury returned indictments against Dustin Underwood, 38, and Devyn Underwood, 20, both of Waverly for murder.

The Sheriff’s Office issued warrants for the men’s arrest. Detectives from the SCSO joined forces with the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force to track down the suspects. On November 9, they located one of the suspects in Ross County. The US Marshals Fugitive Taskforce arrested him without incident.

Two days later on November 11, detectives from the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office and members of the US Marshals Task Force searched several locations for the second suspect. They located him in the parking lot of the Kelly Apartments in Lucasville. Officers arrested him without incident.

The county charged both men with murder, voluntary manslaughter, and felonious assault. They are currently held on a $250,000 bond at the Scioto County Jail. Sheriff Donini said the investigation is still ongoing. Anyone with information should contact Detective Jodi Conkel @ 740-351-1091. All calls will remain confidential.