Kimberly S. Clupper, a 47-year-old woman from Massillon, Ohio, was found dead on April 11, 2015, near a creek in South Sippo Park. Her death was treated as a homicide by the authorities. The Stark County Coroner’s Office did not immediately determine the cause or manner of death.
Four months later, on August 5, 2015, another woman, 23-year-old Kendra Carnes, was found dead under a bridge in Massillon.
The similarities in the deaths of Clupper and Carnes led the police to believe they were connected. Both women were shot in the head with a .38 caliber revolver, and their bodies were dumped under or near bridges.
On October 2, 2015, Leeroy Wilbert Rogers Sr., a 58-year-old man, was arrested in connection with the murders of Clupper and Carnes. Rogers was charged with two counts of aggravated murder, kidnapping, and weapons-related charges. Police found the gun used in the murders at Rogers' home. The investigation revealed that Rogers had a decades-long criminal history, including a previous incident in 2002 where he was convicted of raping and attempting to kill a woman in Texas.
Prosecutors sought the death penalty against Rogers for the murders of Clupper and Carnes. The case brought significant attention to the community and highlighted the determination of the authorities to bring justice for the victims and their families.
The tragic deaths of Kimberly S. Clupper and Kendra Carnes remain a somber reminder of the impact of violent crime on communities and the importance of thorough investigations to ensure justice is served.
