ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — Jara McKnight, a resident of Laurelville, has been sentenced to 15 years to life in prison after being charged with murder in a felonious assault case. The case unfolded when law enforcement and emergency medical services responded to a residence on Bull Creek Road last October.
According to investigators, firefighters arrived at the scene to find a van in the driveway engulfed in flames, with the fire spreading to the adjacent residence. Eric Vanover, aged 44, was discovered lying near the burning van. A passerby intervened, pulling Vanover away from the flames. Meanwhile, McKnight emerged from the residence and allegedly rifled through Vanover’s pockets while he lay injured.
Vanover was transported to a hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries several days later. During the firefighting efforts, responders discovered a .22 caliber handgun within the residence. Subsequent reports confirmed that Vanover had sustained a gunshot wound to the head.
Investigators believe that McKnight fired the .22 caliber handgun, striking Vanover from behind.
On March 12th, Jara McKnight pleaded guilty to murder and felonious assault, marking an end to this disturbing case.