John Lloyd Stricklin, a 68-year-old man from Marion, Ohio, tragically passed away on April 27, 2017. He was found shot on a neighbor's property on Pleasant Hill Road. Stricklin, who was of Caucasian ethnicity, had served in both the United States Marine Corps and the United States Army before retiring from the military and later from the state of Ohio.
Initial investigations led to the arrest of Barbara Stricklin, John's estranged wife, on charges of murder.
However, the case faced complications when shell casings found at the scene were determined to have originated from two different firearms. This led to the dismissal of the charges against Barbara Stricklin in the fall of 2017. Tragically, Barbara Stricklin took her own life in March 2018, adding another layer of complexity to the case.
The case remained open, and in January 2021, Marion County Prosecutor Ray Grogan asked Sheriff Matt Bayles to revisit the investigation. Through meticulous analysis and modern investigative techniques, Captain Ken Rittenour and Detective Christy Utley uncovered discrepancies in testimonies and identified a cooperating witness. This witness revealed the involvement of Jeremiah Martin, Barbara Stricklin's nephew, and Mary Martin, Barbara's sister, in post-murder activities, including cleaning the crime scene and aiding Barbara in concealing the murder.
As a result, Mary Martin pleaded guilty to attempted tampering with evidence and received an 18-month sentence, while Jeremiah Martin pleaded guilty to tampering with evidence and obstruction of justice, receiving a 36-month sentence. Their cooperation with authorities further illuminated the sequence of events following John Stricklin's murder, confirming Barbara Stricklin's role in the crime and the subsequent efforts to tamper with and hide evidence.
The resolution of this case brought closure to the community and highlighted the commitment and technological expertise of law enforcement in solving even the most challenging cases. Prosecutor Grogan and Sheriff Bayles extended their deepest condolences to the family of John Stricklin and commended the persistence and dedication of all involved in bringing justice to the case.
