VINTON COUNTY, Ohio — A recent decision by the Vinton County Prosecutor’s Office has ignited a firestorm of controversy within the community and among the grieving family of 28-year-old Travis Dakota Williams. The prosecutor announced last week that no charges will be filed in connection with Williams’ death, despite allegations of foul play and a forensic pathologist’s independent report ruling the death a homicide.
Williams was pronounced dead on July 27, 2023, after an incident near a residence known locally as a “meth house.” While initial reports from law enforcement suggested no foul play, the family has consistently challenged that narrative. They allege Williams was brutally assaulted, providing graphic video evidence showing a man they claim is Williams being struck multiple times by an unidentified individual. The family also commissioned an independent autopsy, which they say paints a starkly different picture of what happened.
The Conflicting Reports
The independent autopsy, conducted by Dr. Constance R. DiAngelo, determined Williams’ death to be a homicide. The report cited blunt force trauma to the head and torso, significant rib fractures, and internal injuries as contributing factors. Dr. DiAngelo noted that while methamphetamine intoxication played a role, the physical assault and injuries were integral to the fatal outcome.
In contrast, the official autopsy from the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office concluded that Williams died primarily from methamphetamine intoxication. The report categorized injuries to his body as “superficial,” attributing them to resuscitation efforts and noting no evidence of fatal external injuries. This conclusion aligned with the decision by local officials not to pursue charges related to the assault.
Community and Family Outrage
The decision not to press charges has sparked outrage. The Williams family has been vocal, alleging systemic corruption and calling for accountability. Last year the family organized protests, started a Facebook page titled “Justice for Dakota,” and demanded an independent investigation.
“This is not justice. My son was brutally attacked and left to die, and now they’re saying his life didn’t matter,” said one family member during a recent protest in McArthur.
Adding to the controversy, the family disclosed that James Daryl Coleman had been arrested in August 2023 on assault charges in connection with the incident. However, Coleman was never indicted for Williams’ death. The grand jury, presented with evidence from the McArthur Police Department and the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office, unanimously declined to indict anyone.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation’s Refusal
Further complicating the case, the Ohio Attorney General’s Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) declined to take up the investigation, citing “available evidence” and “solvability factors.” This decision has fueled suspicions of negligence or potential corruption within the investigative process.
Questions Remain
The video provided by the family, which allegedly shows Williams being assaulted, and the independent forensic findings, raise troubling questions about the investigation’s thoroughness. How could blunt force trauma be dismissed as unrelated to Williams’ death when it was clearly documented in the autopsy provided by Dr. DiAngelo? Why did the grand jury not find sufficient grounds for an indictment? And why did BCI decline to investigate further?
The case has left many in Vinton County questioning whether justice was truly served. The Williams family has vowed to continue their fight for answers, leaving the community to grapple with a troubling question: Was Travis Dakota Williams’ death a tragic accident, or was it a crime swept under the rug?