On February 6, 2005, Donna Pittinger, a 35-year-old resident of Lawrence Township, Ohio, was reported missing. Donna was known to frequent the areas of Arlington Street and Johnston Street on the east side of Akron, where she worked as a prostitute. Her disappearance raised concern among family and friends, as she had not been seen since that day. Despite efforts to locate her, Donna remained missing for nearly three months.
On April 26, 2005, a kayaker discovered her decomposing body in the Tuscarawas River in Lawrence Township, Stark County. The discovery confirmed that she had been a victim of homicide. The investigation into Donna Pittinger’s death determined that she was murdered, but the location where the crime took place remains unknown. Authorities suspect that her body may have been moved, adding to the challenges faced in solving her case. Despite efforts by the Lawrence Township Police Department, no suspects have been identified, and the details surrounding the crime are still unclear.
Donna Pittinger's death remains an open case, and it has been classified as a cold case by the Ohio Attorney General's Office. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office have kept the case in their database of unsolved homicides, hoping that continued public attention might generate new leads. Authorities encourage anyone with information, no matter how small, to come forward. Community involvement is seen as crucial to solving such cases, and any detail could potentially help bring justice to Donna and closure for her loved ones.
