News Center 7 report leads to new information in 20-year-old cold case

PERRY TWP. — A story WHIO-TV aired on a 20-year-old cold case has helped unlock new information, said Montgomery County Sheriff Rob Streck.

Rodney Shephard, 46, was found dead on Jan. 10, 2000, in his Perry Twp. home. News Center 7’s Mike Campbell spoke to detectives recently about this cold case, and now, there are suspects. But detectives still need the last few pieces of the puzzle.

>> #ColdCaseThursday invites public to help close unsolved Montgomery County cases

“Somebody out there knows what happened,” Streck said.

Shephard was a widower and the father of two daughters and a son.

Detectives were called to Shephard’s home on Crawford Tom’s Run after a friend found him when he failed to show up for a meeting. Investigators knew right away he’d been the victim of terrible violence.

“The way he died is a way no one deserves to go out,” Streck said.

The sheriff said Shephard’s case is highlighted in the newest episode of Cold Case Thursday, a new initiative this year. He said the the homicide of a man who owned a farm equipment business shocked the Brookville and Perry Twp. community.

“He was well known, well respected in the community. There’s no underlying criminal activity that could have led to this,” Streck said.

New Center 7’s spotlight report a few days ago has led to new information.

“We’re very close to getting this case done. We’re down to a couple suspects,” he said.

The sheriff said they need the last pieces of the puzzle, someone who has stayed silent for years to speak up now. He want closure for the community, and especially the family.

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