Jessica Leigh Violand, a 44-year-old woman from Elyria, Ohio, was found dead on March 17, 2025, in an apparent murder-suicide in Akron. Authorities responded to a welfare check request at a residence on South Highland Avenue at approximately 7:30 p.m. after a concerned individual reported being unable to reach Violand for several hours. Upon arrival, officers entered the apartment and discovered Violand and a male individual deceased in a bedroom.
The Summit County Medical Examiner’s
Office later identified the male as 26-year-old Elliot Hareem Altesa of Akron. Investigators determined that Altesa fatally shot Violand in the head before turning the gun on himself. Violand’s death was ruled a homicide, while Altesa’s was classified as a suicide. The relationship between the two individuals remains unclear, and authorities have not released details regarding a potential motive for the incident.
Jessica Leigh Violand, a 44-year-old woman, was originally from Elyria but had connections to Akron. She is survived by her husband, Kevin Violand, and her children, Leilani Santo Domingo and Jude Violand. Her obituary describes her as a beloved family member whose presence will be deeply missed. A memorial service was scheduled to take place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grafton, Ohio.
The Akron Police Department continues to investigate the circumstances surrounding the case. Authorities have urged anyone with information to contact the Akron Police Department Detective Bureau or submit anonymous tips to Summit County Crimestoppers.
