Sandra Selk, a 50-year-old woman from Mount Vernon, Ohio, tragically passed away on September 29, 2015. She was found dead in her residence on Coshocton Avenue, Mount Vernon, with gunshot wounds to her head. Sandra was born on August 5, 1965, in Cleveland, and was a beloved member of the Church of Christ in Croton. She was employed by Jeld-Wen of Ohio Windows and Doors and was known for her love of flowers and mowing her lawn.
Sandra is survived by her husband, David Stelk, her daughter, Brittney Bonham, and her grandchildren.
The investigation into Sandra Selk's death revealed that her son, Travis Bonham, was responsible for her murder. On September 30, 2015, both Sandra Selk and her daughter-in-law, Jaime Linn Barber, were found dead in Sandra's home. Travis Bonham, who was 31 years old at the time, confessed to shooting both women while he was high on bath salts, a synthetic drug. He was later arrested and charged with aggravated murder, tampering with evidence, grand theft, theft of a firearm, and having weapons under disability.
In April 2016, Travis Bonham pleaded guilty to the murders of Sandra Selk and Jaime Linn Barber. He received a life sentence with the possibility of parole after 42 years. The plea agreement included dropping firearm specifications that would have added additional years to his sentence. Despite the plea deal, many family members and friends of the victims expressed disappointment and anger, feeling that the possibility of parole was too lenient given the severity of the crime.
The case brought significant media attention and emotional distress to the families involved. Sandra Selk's sister, Leona Williams, and other family members spoke out during the sentencing, expressing their grief and frustration over the loss of Sandra and the impact of Bonham's actions on their lives. The community and authorities worked together to ensure justice was served, but the pain and loss experienced by Sandra Selk's loved ones remain profound.
In summary, Sandra Selk, a 50-year-old woman from Mount Vernon, Ohio, was tragically murdered by her son, Travis Bonham, while he was under the influence of bath salts. Bonham was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole after 42 years, a decision that left many family members and friends feeling dissatisfied.