Denise Applegate, a 49-year-old woman from Sardinia, Ohio, tragically passed away on February 2, 2015. She was born on July 3, 1965, in Fairfield, Ohio, and was the daughter of Ken and Sharon Powers. Denise was a graduate of Franklin University and worked as a customer service representative for United Health Care Insurance in Blue Ash. She is survived by her two sons, David and Joshua Proffitt, and two daughters, Rebecca and Elizabeth Proffitt, along with six grandchildren.
Denise
Applegate's death was part of a tragic incident that also claimed the life of her estranged husband, Jay Applegate, 41. The couple was found dead in their home on Stephan Road in Sardinia from apparent gunshot wounds. The incident was initially treated as a murder-suicide, but the investigation was ongoing. Authorities discovered the bodies after responding to a report of someone having difficulty breathing.
In the months leading up to her death, Denise had filed for divorce from Jay Applegate and also sought a restraining order against him, citing fears of physical and emotional abuse. A temporary order was issued, granting Denise exclusive rights to the home they shared during the divorce proceedings. The couple was scheduled to appear in court on February 6, 2015, just days after their deaths.
The Bureau of Criminal Investigation was involved in the investigation, treating the case as a murder-suicide while considering the domestic violence complaint and restraining order filed by Denise. The tragic circumstances surrounding Denise Applegate's death highlight the serious and often devastating consequences of domestic violence.
Denise Applegate's passing left a significant impact on her family and community, who remembered her as a loving mother, grandmother, and friend. Her funeral services were held on February 10, 2015, at Weigel Funeral Home in Hamilton, Ohio, with burial following at Butler County Memorial Park.
