Roberta Tandarich, a 34-year-old woman from Akron, Ohio, was found deceased in a wooded area of Firestone Metro Park in October 1991. Her body was severely decomposed, making it difficult for authorities to determine the exact cause of death at the time. For years, her family remained without answers, suspecting foul play but lacking definitive proof.
Decades later, notorious serial killer Samuel Little, whom the FBI has described as the most prolific serial killer in U.S.
history, confessed to murdering Roberta Tandarich. Little admitted to strangling her in September 1991 and disposing of her body in the park. His confession provided long-awaited confirmation for Tandarich's family, who had always believed she was murdered. Little, who preyed on vulnerable women, including those struggling with addiction, had a history of targeting victims across the country. His confessions have linked him to 93 murders, with law enforcement verifying at least 50 of them.
Following Little's confession, Akron detectives planned to meet with the Summit County Medical Examiner to re-examine the case. Despite the confession, it remained unclear whether Little would face charges for Tandarich's murder, as her cause of death had initially been classified as undetermined. Her daughter, Tonya Maslar, expressed hope that authorities would pursue charges against Little, believing that justice for her mother was long overdue.
Little was already serving three consecutive life sentences for murders committed in California. His confessions, obtained through cooperation with law enforcement, have helped investigators connect him to numerous cold cases. The FBI and local agencies continue to work on verifying his claims and bringing closure to the families of his victims.
