A loving mother and proud grandmother with a generous heart is remembered for the laughter and light she brought into the lives of her family and friends. Julie Nicole Priser, a 51-year-old woman from Trotwood, Ohio, was known for her sweet, compassionate, and giving nature, which was complemented by a touch of spice that was uniquely her own. Born in Dayton on March 2, 1975, Julie was a cherished daughter and sister who left a lasting impression on everyone she met.
Her family was her greatest love, and she freely gave her kindness and affection to them.
On the evening of Tuesday, October 13, 2026, a concerned family member went to check on Julie at her home on Salem Bend Drive. Her brother, unable to reach her throughout the day, used a code to enter the house just after 7:00 p.m. Inside, he made a devastating discovery. He found his sister unresponsive in the basement and immediately called 911, telling dispatchers, "I came over here to look for my sister... she's in the basement, not answering, nonresponsive; she's got blood on her."
When officers from the Trotwood Police Department and medics arrived at the 5900 block of Salem Bend Drive, they found Julie with multiple gunshot wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The quiet residential street was soon filled with the lights of emergency vehicles as investigators began the difficult task of piecing together the events that led to her death.
The investigation quickly led detectives to a person of interest. Police tracked a man connected to the shooting to the Spark by Hilton hotel near Colonel Glenn Highway in the neighboring city of Fairborn. There, authorities found the man deceased from what was determined to be a suicide. The Trotwood Police Department later confirmed that the deceased man was Julie Priser's husband, David.
Detectives with the Trotwood Police Department coordinated with Fairborn Police as they worked to understand the circumstances surrounding both deaths. While the case appeared to be a murder-suicide, authorities stated in the days following the incident that the investigation remained active. “Detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the female’s death, including whether any additional individuals were involved,” police said in a statement released on October 16, 2026.
Julie was preceded in death by her father, Ronald Fig. She is survived by her two sons, Joshua Priser and Jacob Anatole; a beloved grandchild, Atlas Anatole; her mother, Electa “Pearl” Fig; and her brothers, Brad Priser and Tyler Grossheim, along with many other relatives and friends. Her obituary lovingly remembered her spirit: "Though her time here was far too short, the memories she created, the laughter she inspired, and the love she gave will remain with those who knew her... Her laughter may be quiet now, but the love she gave will never fade."
A memorial service to celebrate Julie's life was held on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Kindred Funeral Home in Englewood, where family and friends gathered to honor her memory. The investigation into her death was ongoing as of October 2026, with the primary suspect deceased.
