On April 13, 2003, at approximately 4 a.m., a fire broke out at 64 East 17th Avenue, near the Ohio State University campus in Columbus, Ohio. The blaze resulted in the tragic deaths of five college students, including 21-year-old Kyle Raulin, an Ohio State student. Among the other victims were Alan Schlessman, also from Ohio State, and Erin DeMarco, Christine Wilson, and Andrea Dennis, who were all students from Ohio University.
The fire is believed to have been intentionally set, with the point of origin identified at the front door of the building. At the time of the incident, a party had taken place at the house, with approximately 75 to 100 people in attendance. The fire began shortly after the party ended around 3:30 a.m. and quickly spread, trapping the victims on the second floor of the house. Four of the victims were found in a single room, while the fifth was in a separate room. Fifteen to twenty people were still in the building when the fire started, but many managed to escape. However, Raulin and four others were unable to make it out in time.
The fire has since been classified as an arson, and despite numerous interviews and investigations, the person responsible has not yet been identified. The Columbus Police Department has kept the case open, treating it as a homicide, and they continue to search for answers. Robert "Lucky" Patterson was initially arrested in connection to the fire after allegedly implicating himself, but he was released soon after due to a lack of conclusive evidence. Patterson remains a person of interest, though no formal charges have been brought against him. Authorities still believe that additional witnesses from the party might hold crucial information, and the case has been highlighted by Crime Stoppers as the "Crime of the Week" to encourage new leads. A reward of up to $12,500 is being offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those responsible.
The families of the victims, including Raulin’s parents, have continued to advocate for justice. The families have expressed their frustration with the slow progress and the lack of closure, but they remain hopeful that one day the person responsible will be held accountable. In the years following the incident, the house on East 17th Avenue has been renovated, and many who were at the party have moved on, but the impact of the tragedy still lingers for the victims' families and the Ohio State community. Despite the passage of time, law enforcement officials emphasize that they are committed to following every lead, hoping that new information will eventually lead to a resolution of this tragic arson case.
