Man killed in Ohio shoot-out identified as suspect in 1981 cold case beating death of teen

MANSFIELD, Ohio (TCN) -- Law enforcement officials closed a 43-year-old cold case after DNA from a man killed in a shoot-out with U.S. Marshals was linked to the 1981 beating death of a young woman.

According to the Mansfield Police Department, 18-year-old Debra Miller was found "brutally murdered" in her apartment on April 29, 1981. Officials said in a press conference that Miller had been beaten to death with pots, pans, and oven plates. Mansfield Police Detective Terry Butler called it a "bloody, very bad scene."

Despite the investigation at the time, Miller’s case eventually went cold. Butler and DNA analyst Dawn Fryback reexamined the case in 2021 and looked at it "as if it had happened yesterday, through an entirely new lens." Their work brought up "staggering" findings, including a similar DNA profile on multiple pieces of evidence. They eventually identified the suspect as James Vanest.

Vanest reportedly lived above Miller at the time of her killing. Police questioned him but did not identify him as a suspect. Butler interviewed Vanest in 2021, and Butler "felt Mr. Vanest was trying to create an alibi by justifying his DNA being present in the apartment." Butler, however, never brought that up during their conversation. Vanest also reportedly confessed to Butler that he lied to police in 1981.

Butler tried to interview Vanest again in 2024, but Vanest "ended the second interview in 2024 before it could even begin" because he reportedly "felt like Det. Butler was building a case against him and he refused to speak and requested an attorney."

Not long after that second attempted interview, Vanest sold his house and moved to West Virginia. He left several personal belongings behind, which investigators used for DNA analysis. Police said that conclusively showed Vanest killed Miller 43 years ago.

According to Mansfield Police Chief Jason Bammann, some of those belongings still in Ohio included multiple firearms. Authorities in West Virginia arrested him on state charges after finding other guns on him. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) took over the case in West Virginia. He posted bond for the state charges and went back to Ohio.

On Nov. 18, 2024, members of the U.S. Marshals Northern Ohio Violent Fugitive Task Force went to a hotel in Canton, Ohio, to serve Vanest his indictment on federal gun charges. Vanest pointed a gun at marshals, then barricaded himself in his room. The task force members reportedly "gave the fugitive numerous opportunities to surrender but the fugitive did not comply with officer’s orders."

Canton SWAT arrived at the scene, and Vanest reportedly began firing at law enforcement. One of the rounds struck a SWAT team member in his arm and another hit a vehicle. The SWAT member sustained non-life-threatening injuries and was treated at an area hospital. Officers shot back at Vanest, killing him. Officials went into Vanest’s hotel room and found him deceased alongside two firearms and multiple spent shell casings.

U.S. Marshal Pete Elliott said Vanest had an "extensive violent criminal history dating back to the 1970s."

Bammann called the case "sad and tragic," adding, "Although the closing of this case does not bring Debra back or replace the last 43 years, we hope her family can now have some closure."

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