Jason R. Gardner, a 39-year-old male from Ashland, Ohio, was found dead inside his home on September 2, 2022. Emergency responders were called to the scene after a woman discovered an elderly man with troubling injuries inside the house. Upon further investigation, authorities located the body of Jason Gardner in the residence. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was called in to assist with the investigation, which was treated as a crime scene.
Following the discovery of Jason
Gardner's body, Stanley Gardner, Jason's 71-year-old father, was charged with his son's murder. Stanley Gardner was found inside the home and was transported to a local hospital for treatment. According to Ashland County Prosecutor Christopher Tunnell, evidence indicated that Stanley Gardner shot his son in the garage of their shared residence. Stanley Gardner was later charged with one count of murder, an unclassified felony that carries a mandatory prison term of life with parole eligibility after 15 years.
The investigation revealed that Stanley Gardner had written a note indicating that he had taken his son's life and attempted to take his own life by other means. Investigators did not find signs of a struggle or physical altercation within the residence. The case has been ongoing, with Stanley Gardner's trial set for February 27, 2024, before Judge Stimpert in the Ashland County Common Pleas Court. The trial is expected to conclude on March 12, 2024, and will determine Stanley Gardner's fate.
The tragic incident has deeply affected the Gardner family and the community, with many offering their thoughts and prayers. The outcome of the trial will be crucial in serving justice for Jason Gardner's death.
