Janelle Mauricio, a 20-year-old woman from Fostoria, Ohio, tragically lost her life on May 23, 2014. She was born on August 23, 1993, and was known for her vibrant personality and love for family gatherings, cooking, baking, drawing, poetry, and photography. Janelle worked at Applebee's in Findlay and had previously worked at Cedar Point during Hallow Weekends. She was a graduate of Fostoria High School and Vanguard in Fremont, and a member of St. Wendelin Catholic Church.
The circumstances surrounding Janelle's death were connected to a burglary that turned into a homicide. On the night of her death, three teenagers—Tyson Ogg, Garrett Brown, and Dallas Salaz—broke into Janelle's home. During the incident, Janelle was shot and later died from her injuries at the hospital. Her boyfriend, Caleb Barto, was also present during the break-in and was injured but survived.
The Fostoria Police Department quickly apprehended all three suspects within 24 hours of the incident. Tyson Ogg and Garrett Brown were charged with murder, aggravated burglary, and felonious assault, while Dallas Salaz was charged with complicity to commit aggravated murder, aggravated burglary, and felonious assault. The investigation revealed that the suspects knew Janelle and her boyfriend, and the break-in was believed to be an act of retaliation.
The case drew significant attention due to the young ages of those involved. Janelle's family and friends were devastated by her loss and sought support from the community. The suspects faced legal proceedings, with Tyson Ogg and Dallas Salaz eventually taking plea deals and agreeing to testify against Garrett Brown. Brown's trial was set to proceed, and the community continued to mourn the loss of Janelle, remembering her as a bright and caring individual who brought joy to those around her.
Janelle's death left a lasting impact on her family and the community, and her memory continues to be honored through various tributes and remembrances.
