Rick Adams, a 50-year-old man from Chillicothe, OH, tragically died on February 4, 2019. He was found fatally shot at his mobile home on Vigo Road in rural Ross County. Rick was with his girlfriend, Tammy Potts-Williams, 51, at the time of the incident. While Tammy survived her injuries after being in critical condition for weeks, Rick succumbed to his injuries at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center the following day.
The investigation revealed that Rick's death was connected to the murders
of his sister, Leann Marie Potts, 46, and her fiancé, Thomas Steven Littler, 63, who were found shot dead at their home on Bowman Lane, about five miles away. The three murders were part of a vicious triple homicide committed by James Rinehart, a resident of nearby Londonderry, Ohio. Rinehart was arrested within 24 hours of the murders after attempting to use Leann Potts's credit card at a Burger King.
James Rinehart was linked to the murders through DNA evidence, surveillance footage, and his possession of the victims' belongings. He eventually pleaded guilty to three counts of aggravated murder and one count of attempted murder, receiving a sentence of 35 years to life. The motive behind the killings remains undisclosed.
The tragic events shook the small community of Chillicothe, leaving families and friends devastated. The Ross County Sheriff's Office and local authorities worked diligently to bring justice to the victims and their loved ones.
