Lacey Claxton, a 47-year-old man from Akron, Ohio, tragically passed away on January 30, 2021. He was found unresponsive with a gunshot wound in the 800 block of West Thornton Street and was later pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation quickly identified Princess Fitzgerald, a 33-year-old woman from Akron, as a person of interest. Fitzgerald was arrested in Columbus and extradited back to Akron, where she was charged with murder, having weapons under disability, motor vehicle theft, and tampering with evidence. Claxton's car was also found, further linking Fitzgerald to the crime.
Fitzgerald, who had a volatile relationship with Claxton and a child in common, initially faced murder charges. However, she later accepted a plea deal, pleading guilty to voluntary manslaughter and other charges. The plea deal allowed her to avoid a potential life sentence, and she was sentenced to 11 to 16½ years for the manslaughter charge, with additional time for the other charges.
The case highlighted the ongoing issue of violence in Akron, which saw a record number of murders in 2020. The community continues to grapple with the impact of such crimes and the need for effective measures to prevent future tragedies.
