An Ohio firefighter allegedly responded to help battle a massive blaze he’d actually started at the home of a woman he is now accused of murdering.
In a post to Facebook, the Darke County Sheriff’s Office said that firefighters rushed to a home in Ansonia, Ohio, on Friday, April 10, to extinguish the flaming inferno, and while later searching the scorched, smoldering remains of the residence, came upon the body of Ericka Kramer.
Kramer, 50, was a mother and well-known varsity cheerleading coach.
Accused in her killing is Peyton Beam, “was called out as a firefighter to respond to this scene” and ended up being “one of the first people to get to the property with the house on fire,” prosecutors said during his bond hearing, reported WHIO.
Beam, 22, is charged with aggravated arson and aggravated murder. He was a member of the Ansonia Volunteer Fire Department.
Investigators claim to have evidence that shows Kramer — who was shot to death — was in the home minutes before the fire, according to WHIO.
Four bullets killed Kramer, who police said was shot in the back and the head, cops said. Beam then allegedly doused the body in gasoline before setting it on fire and fleeing.
But Beam’s attorney, John Rion, reportedly told local outlets his client considered Kramer “a second mother,” and would never do anything to harm her. Rion also said that Beam had done some farm work for Kramer.
The Ansonia Athletic Department posted a tribute on Facebook, noting it was “saddened to hear of the passing of our Varsity Cheerleading Head Coach, Ericka Kramer,” noting she “will be deeply missed.”
An obituary for her claims that Kramer had an “extraordinary and unbreakable” bond with her daughter.
“A love so deep that it defined her entire world. Everything she did was rooted in that connection, and the joy she found in being a mother shone through in every part of her life,” the obituary states.
“Ericka will be remembered for her boundless kindness and selflessness. She was the kind of person who would give the shirt off her back without hesitation, always putting others before herself. Her warmth, generosity, and genuine spirit made the world a better place, and words truly fall short in capturing just how remarkable she was.”
Rion could not be reached for comment on Friday, April 17. Us Weekly was also unable to ascertain whether Beam has entered pleas yet.
He remains in custody with no bond.
