Norma Jean Schumacher Matko, a 69-year-old woman from Barnesville, Ohio, tragically passed away on November 26, 2020. She was born on October 21, 1951, in Wheeling, West Virginia, and was a retired registered nurse from Wheeling Hospital. Norma was well-known in her community for her involvement in the Barnesville Assumption Church, Barnesville Rotary Club, and the Schumacher Pumpkin Patch.
Norma's death was determined to be a homicide. She was found shot to death at her family home in Barnesville during Thanksgiving. The investigation revealed that her daughter, Thoue "Nichole" Bronowski, had been reported missing by Cuyahoga Falls police on Thanksgiving Day. Bronowski's ex-husband reported her missing, stating that she hadn't been seen or heard from, and her whereabouts were unknown.
A manhunt ensued, leading to a shootout in Louisiana where the suspect, James Hawley, also known as Ahmad Ben David, was killed in a gunfight with FBI agents. Bronowski was found with Hawley but was unharmed and is now safe with her family. Law enforcement believes that Matko was visiting her daughter when the kidnappings allegedly occurred in Cleveland, and the women were brought to Belmont County where Matko was killed.
The investigation also led to the arrests of Andrew Welch, 28, and Lester Foster, 27, both of Cleveland. The case involved multiple agencies, including the Belmont County Sheriff's Office, Cuyahoga Falls Police Department, and the FBI. The tragic incident has deeply affected the community, and Norma Jean Schumacher Matko is remembered fondly for her contributions and kind-hearted nature.
