Dawn Michelle Wills, a 48-year-old woman from Dennison, Ohio, tragically died on December 13, 2021. She was involved in a distressing incident at her home on Eastport Road, which led to her death and the deaths of two other individuals. Dawn Michelle Wills was a nurse practitioner and a Methodist by faith. She was born on April 2, 1973, in Bellaire, Ohio.
The incident was determined to be a possible double murder-suicide.
Dawn Michelle Wills' husband, Richard William Wills II, aged 67, and her father, Carl T. Beranek Sr., aged 69, were also found deceased at the scene. According to the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office, Richard William Wills II is believed to be the shooter. The sheriff's office received a distress call from Dawn Michelle Wills on the night of the incident, during which gunshots were heard in the background. When deputies arrived at the scene, they found Dawn Michelle Wills lying on the floor and attempted life-saving aid before transporting her to a local hospital. Unfortunately, she succumbed to her injuries the following morning.
The investigation into the incident revealed that the couple had been arguing, and Dawn Michelle Wills' father had come to stay with her. The sheriff's office collected numerous items from the home, including a handgun, as evidence. The investigation was extensive, and the sheriff's office took considerable time to sift through the evidence to determine possible motives for the shooting.
No arrests have been made in connection with the deaths, as the primary suspect, Richard William Wills II, died at the scene. The case remains under investigation, with the sheriff's office continuing to analyze the collected evidence to understand the full circumstances surrounding the tragic incident.
Dawn Michelle Wills' death has left a significant impact on her family and the community, and the investigation continues to seek clarity and justice for all involved.
