Do you know who murdered 46 year old mother Linda Bissell in 1996?
On September 6, 1996, Linda Bissell, a 46-year-old mother of four, was found shot to death in her home on Findlay Street, Findlay, Ohio. Linda had been shot multiple times with a small-caliber handgun, and the weapon was never recovered. At the time of her death, Linda was alone in her house, and no witnesses to the shooting were ever identified. The investigation has remained unsolved for nearly three decades, with few leads to indicate who was responsible for the crime or why she was targeted (Hancock Crime Stoppers).
In the weeks leading up to her death, Linda's behavior had changed, and she appeared to be fearful of something. A significant incident occurred just a week prior when the side door window of her vehicle was shattered. Though the authorities concluded that it was caused by a rock, Linda and her family believed it was an intentional attack. Following that incident, Linda purchased a .25 caliber gun for protection, which she kept in her nightstand. When police arrived at the crime scene, they found that the gun was missing, and the nightstand drawer's contents had been scattered across the floor (Daily Crime).
Several individuals close to Linda were investigated, including her ex-husband, Thom Bissell, her boyfriend Frederick Michael Hutchinson, and her son Bryan Bissell. Thom Bissell, who was at work at the time of the murder, cooperated fully with the investigation and passed a polygraph test. Hutchinson's fingerprints were found on the shell casings, which he explained as a result of teaching Linda how to use the weapon. Hutchinson’s polygraph test showed indications of deception, raising suspicions about his involvement. Bryan, who had recently returned from rehab, also underwent a polygraph test, but the results were inconclusive. Despite these leads, no charges were filed, and the case eventually went cold (Daily Crime).
Linda's family has continued to seek justice for her. In 2016, her children called for the case to be reopened, emphasizing advancements in forensic technology since the 1990s. They hoped that a fresh look at the evidence could lead to new insights and ultimately solve the case. As of now, however, Linda Bissell’s murder remains an unsolved tragedy, with no closure for her grieving family (Daily Crime).
