Robert McCann, a 52-year-old male of unspecified ethnicity, was tragically murdered on February 13, 1978, in Franklin County, Ohio. McCann, along with his 77-year-old mother, Dorothy Marie McCann, and his 26-year-old girlfriend, Christine Herdman, was found dead in his home at 4187 Ongaro Drive, a semi-rural area just outside Columbus. The victims had been shot multiple times, primarily around the face and head area, with shell casings from a .22-caliber gun found at the scene.
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investigation into Robert McCann's death was part of a larger series of murders known as the ".22-Caliber Killings," which plagued Columbus, Ohio, and surrounding areas during the late 1970s. The murders were attributed to Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon, brothers who were later dubbed "The .22 Caliber Killers". The Lewingdon brothers were responsible for a total of ten murders between December 1977 and December 1978, primarily targeting strangers in their homes for robbery.
Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon were eventually arrested and charged with the murders. Gary Lewingdon was born on February 14, 1940, and Thaddeus Lewingdon was born on December 22, 1936. Both brothers were convicted of multiple counts of murder and sentenced to life imprisonment in 1979.
The case of Robert McCann and the other victims of the .22-Caliber Killings highlighted the challenges faced by investigators due to the lack of clear motives and the initial inability to link the cases together. The brutal nature of the murders and the indiscriminate targeting of victims added to the horror of the crime spree.
In summary, Robert McCann's death was part of a larger, tragic series of murders committed by Gary and Thaddeus Lewingdon, who used .22-caliber pistols to carry out their crimes. The investigation eventually led to the arrest and conviction of the Lewingdon brothers, who were sentenced to life imprisonment for their crimes.
