Matthew P. Helman, a 28-year-old man from Newark, Ohio, tragically lost his life on August 7, 2019. He was shot during a robbery at a home on Elmwood Avenue around 10 p.m. Helman was rushed to Licking Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced dead from a single gunshot wound. The suspects in this case were identified as 26-year-old Delaney Desmond Daniels and 23-year-old Brianna Lohr. Both were arrested and charged with aggravated murder and aggravated robbery.
The investigation revealed that Daniels and Lohr, who were dating at the time, knew Helman and allegedly planned the robbery to get money. According to court records, Lohr contacted Helman and his girlfriend to meet them, with the intention of robbing them. When Helman and his girlfriend arrived, Daniels pulled out a gun and attempted to rob Helman, ultimately shooting him. Daniels and Lohr then fled the scene together.
Following their arrest, Daniels and Lohr were detained and interviewed by detectives. The Licking County Prosecutor's Office took over the case, and a grand jury was set to consider multiple felony charges against the suspects. Daniels had a prior conviction for aggravated robbery involving a firearm in 2012 and was released from prison just two months before the shooting.
The tragic death of Matthew P. Helman left a significant impact on his family and friends. His mother described him as her "rainbow baby," a child born after a miscarriage or loss, and expressed the deep sense of loss and emptiness she felt. Helman's only son, who was 17 months old at the time, would never know his father beyond pictures and memories. The family and friends described Helman as a beloved son, brother, uncle, and friend, whose absence left a void in their lives.
In February 2021, Delaney Daniels was sentenced to 40 years to life in prison for his role in the robbery and murder of Helman. Lohr's case was set for a change of plea and sentencing hearing, where she faced charges of aggravated murder, murder, aggravated robbery, and tampering with evidence.
The case of Matthew P. Helman's death highlights the devastating consequences of violent crime and the profound impact it has on the victims' families and communities.
