A man sought in connection with the death of a Bellefontaine woman who was found dead in hermother's basement was charged with murder on Friday afternoon.
Samuel K. Littleton was charged with murder, felonious assault, abuse of a corpse and tamperingwith evidence, 10TV's Kevin Landers reported.
Littleton, 37, was last seen on Wednesday. Officials said they were searching for Littleton inconnection with the death of Tiffany Brown, but until Friday afternoon would only call him a"person of interest."
Littleton is the boyfriend of Brown's mother, Deb Neeley.
Brown, 26, was found Wednesday night. Investigators said she was found partially clothed under apile of scrap wood and had been stabbed multiple times.
SLIDESHOW: Images From Case | VIDEO EXTRAS: Feb. 18 News Conference| Case Timeline
Brown disappeared on Feb. 11 after dropping her children off at a neighbor's house and leavingto run errands.
According to Bellefontaine police Chief Brad Kunze, Brown was probably murdered lastweekend.
Littleton is also being sought in connection with the disappearance of an elderly Logan Countycouple.
Richard and Gladis Russell once owned the residence where investigators found Brown'sbody. The home was sold to Littleton, who lived in the home with Neeley.
The couple's 2004 green Mercury Grand Marquis was also missing, 10TV's Danielle Eliasreported.
The vehicle was last spotted on Wednesday at a rest stop in Butler County.
An Ohio State Highway Patrol trooper was checking random license plates and came across thevehicle, but it was not reported stolen so there was no further investigation.
Deputies said that Russell's car has Ohio license plate No. PDG-13E.
The two are long-time members of the Bellefontaine Lion's Club and known throughout thecommunity, Elias reported. Neighbors said it would be unlike them to leave without tellinganyone.
Family members said a neighbor, who normally checks on the Russells, spotted their papersitting on their lawn, and went inside their house to find the couple and their car missing.
"The first thing I noticed was Gladis always keeps a log of when Dick's blood pressure and sugarcount and that had not been updated since, I think, Wednesday morning," said family member MikeCoder.
There were no signs of foul play in the home but investigators did find something strange.
"There was a note inside that I believe, had a phone number on it that came back to Mr.Littleton," said Logan County sheriff's deputy Randy Dodds. "We found that inside which is whatraised our suspicion."
At daybreak on Friday, authorities began scouring the Russell's 80-acre property in rural LoganCounty.
Officers were seen searching in barns, fields and outbuildings for clues related to theirdisappearance.
The search for Littleton has expanded out of Ohio, and involves authorities in Tennessee andWest Virginia, where Littleton is known to have family, 10TV News reported.
Family and friends were gathering on Friday evening at Brown's home on Albert Street for a vigilto remember the mother of two, 10TV's Jason Frazer reported.
"She's just a great person," said friend Neoma Price. "She was trying to go somewhere with herlife working and going to school to better herself and her children. Just a lot of tears and a lotof hugs for the family, just praying that this nightmare for them (Brown's family) will be oversoon."
Hundreds of people were expected to attend the vigil. People have been stopping by the homethroughout the day to leave candles, flowers and signs and to pay their respects.
Investigators are asking anyone living near the Russell residence to check any out buildings orother structures on their property and report anything suspicious to the sheriff's office at937-592-5731.
Anyone with information on Littleton's whereabouts is asked to call 911 or 937-599-8477.
Stay with 10TV News and 10TV.com for continuing coverage.
Previous Stories:
February 18, 2011: Slain Woman Was Found Stabbed, Partially Clothed
February 17, 2011: Couple, Vehicle Reported Missing In Homicide Investigation
February 16, 2011: Missing Woman Found Dead; Person Of Interest Sought
February 15, 2011: Search Continues For Missing Mother Of 2
February 14, 2011: Missing Woman's Car Found At Apartment Complex
