Three years after Heather James, 45; Pete “O’Brian” Eldridge, 35; and James “Jay” Andronis, 68, were found dead on a remote Scioto County property, the McLaughlin Road triple homicide remains unsolved.
SCDN reached out to Scioto County Sheriff David Thoroughman to ask where the investigation stands.
“At this time we have not received any new leads,” Thoroughman said. “Please know that the investigation remains active, and we are continuing to pursue every available avenue.”
The sheriff said investigators are still working the case.
“Our investigators are utilizing additional investigative methods and techniques in an effort to develop new information and move the case forward,” Thoroughman said. “We remain committed to following up on every viable lead as it becomes available.”
Three Victims Found in Two Campers
The case began on the night of Saturday, July 22, 2023, when Scioto County deputies responded to a property on McLaughlin Road after a 911 call.
Andronis was found dead in one camper.
A second search of the property led deputies to two more bodies in another camper. Those victims were later identified as James and Eldridge.
The case was initially considered a possible murder-suicide, but the Scioto County Sheriff later confirmed all three deaths were homicides.
No arrests have been announced.
No suspects have been publicly named.
Family Still Waiting for Answers
SCDN broke the story and has continued to follow the case, including speaking with a family friend last year on the anniversary of the murders.
That friend said the family was devastated not only by the killings, but also by the confusion surrounding the early hours of the investigation.
“Your articles are the reason we got the information,” she told SCDN at the time. “We didn’t even get the call about them being murdered until the next morning.”
The friend said the family believes the killings may have been tied to drugs, money, and a pending court case.
She said Andronis had allegedly stored a Harley at his father’s property just two days before the murders, something the family found unusual. She also said he was known to carry large amounts of cash.
James and Eldridge had been indicted in May 2023 on trafficking and other charges, according to court records.
The family friend also claimed Eldridge may have been working as a confidential informant, though that has not been publicly confirmed by law enforcement.
“It was weird that they got murdered not long after that happened,” she said. “I think Pete and Heather lured someone there.”
The friend said she believes someone from James and Eldridge’s “drug world” may have been involved and described Andronis as someone who got caught in the middle.
“Heather wasn’t a great person. Jay was a good guy. He just got caught up in that.”
Questions About What Happened That Night
The family friend told SCDN she does not believe the killings were carried out by one person.
She said witnesses reported seeing a dark-colored vehicle leaving the scene with three people inside.
She also said the family had been told two types of shell casings were found, raising concerns that more than one shooter may have been involved.
According to the friend, the family believes Eldridge was shot first, James was killed while trying to flee, and Andronis was shot in bed.
She also claimed Andronis’ safe was emptied and the home was ransacked.
Those details have not resulted in any announced arrests.
“Just knowing someone is out there and got away with it — it’s what I hate the most,” the family friend said. “Nobody cares that this killer is roaming around.”
A Funeral Behind Bars
Adding to the heartbreak, Andronis’ wife, Peggy Andronis, was incarcerated at the time of his funeral.
Family members FaceTimed her from the service so she could watch from prison.
“It was horrible,” the family friend said. “His own wife couldn’t even say goodbye.”
Still Active, Still Unsolved
Sheriff Thoroughman said the case remains active, but there have been no new leads to announce.
“If there are any significant developments, we will be sure to keep you informed,” he said.
For the families of Heather James, Pete Eldridge, and James Andronis, three years is a long time to wait.
For investigators, it remains an open homicide case.
And for the community, it remains one of Scioto County’s most disturbing unsolved crimes.
Anyone with information, no matter how small it may seem, is asked to contact the Scioto County Sheriff’s Office or the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
Three people were killed. Their families are still waiting for answers.
