Ten facing charges in kidnapping, murder of Toledo teens found in burned-down home

TOLEDO, Ohio (WTVG) - A Lucas County Grand Jury indicted several people in connection to the kidnapping and murder of two Toledo teens whose remains were found in the rubble of a burned-down home.

According to court documents, the grand jury indicted the following people on Wednesday in connection to the death of Ke’Marion Wilder and Kyshawn Pittman.

• Cruz Garcia is facing two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, one count of obstructing justice, one count of having weapons under disability, and one count of trafficking in marijuana.
• Charles Walker is facing two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, and two counts of kidnapping.
• Brent Kohlhoffer is facing two counts of aggravated murder, two counts of murder, and two counts of kidnapping.
• Carrissa Eames is facing two counts of murder, two counts of kidnapping, and one count of obstructing justice.
• Don Eames is facing two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping.
• Corbin Gingrich is facing two counts of murder and two counts of kidnapping.
• A 14-year-old boy and a 17-year-old boy are both facing two counts of complicity to commit murder and two counts of complicity to commit kidnapping. 13abc does not release the names of minors accused of crimes unless the courts certify them as an adult.
• Crystal Laforge-Yingling and Diamond Rivera are facing obstruction of justice charges.

Police say Wilder and Pittman were last seen on Dec. 3 leaving a party at a cabin at Maumee Bay State Park in a silver SUV from the front main lodge. The hosts had asked the boys to leave because they had a gun on them, according to TPD. Another juvenile set up the ride for Wilder and Pittman, court documents allege. Family members reported the boys missing on Dec. 5.

Just under two weeks later, investigators found the remains of the boys in the rubble of a burned-down home on Chase Street on Dec. 15. Officials with Toledo Fire and Rescue said the vacant home went up in flames in the early hours of Dec. 5, the same day the boys were reported missing.

The coroner’s office has not released a cause of death for either boy.

Garcia is accused of assaulting the teens with a gun, tying them up, and leading them to a vehicle that was waiting for them, according to court records. Details about where Garcia or the driver may have taken the boys next were not disclosed. Cruz visited the vacant house “several times” between the time of the kidnapping and the fire, court documents allege.

Officials have not previously provided any information on Charles Walker, Brent Kohlhofer, and Don Eames in connection to this case. 13abc has reached out to TPD to learn more on their involvement and are waiting to hear back.

Police tell 13abc Walker was previously facing two aggravated murder charges in a separate 2016 case after police said he shot and killed two men “execution style” in a car, but prosecutors later dismissed those charges. Prosecutors said at the time there were issues with evidence, so they dismissed the case without prejudice.

According to the federal sex offender registry, Brent Kohlhofer is a registered sex offender accused of promoting prostitution in Illinois. Additional details surrounding his criminal history are unclear at this time.

Walker and Kohlhofer appeared in court on Jan. 17 and a judge ruled that both were to be held without bail. Both Walker and Kohlhofer are due back in court on Feb. 13 at 1 p.m.

Officials confirmed Wednesday Don Eames is being held in the Wood County jail on separate felony charges including burglary and identity theft. The Wood County Jail says they have received a request to get Eames back to Lucas County on the charges related to the kidnapping and murder.

Carrissa Eames and Corbin Gingrich were originally facing obstruction of justice charges in connection to the case. Their charges have since been upgraded. Documents obtained by 13abc say the last time anyone had any contact with the teens was when they were at Carrissa Eames’ and Gingrich’s home on Maumee Ave, where police found ammo, suspected bags of marijuana, drug paraphernalia, and a piece of glass with possible blood, among other items.

Court documents said Diamond Rivera allegedly gave a false alibi as law enforcement were investigating the kidnapping.

13abc is working to learn more about the connections between the suspects and the victims. We’ve reached out to officials and are waiting to hear back.

This is a developing story. Check back for more details.

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