Sources: Aurora homicide may be tied to unsolved N.Ky. slayings

CINCINNATI - The death of an Aurora woman last week may be connected to the unsolved slaying of a Northern Kentucky couple, according to sources.

A source tells 9 News that Boone County Detectives are speaking with Aurora police regarding the homicide of Leigh Jennings, 67, of Aurora. Her body was discovered by a neighbor at the apartment complex on Aspen Drive Thursday evening. An autopsy that was performed the next day determined homicide was the manner of death.

"We were out mowing grass and noticed her garage door was open and the car was gone," said Patrick Kearney, Jennings' neighbor.

Dearborn County Prosecutor Aaron Negangard said Tuesday "it was a violent death." Police on Monday said Jennings worked at Jim Young's Barber Shop in Florence. Co-workers said she worked at the barber shop for "9 or 10 years."

9 News was told Tuesday that a man named Steve, the nephew of Bill and Peggy Stephenson, "is being looked at closely as a suspect." Sources will not say how the cases are connected.  Steve attempted suicide Monday night, but lived. His home was also recently searched, according to sources.

Bill and Peggy Stephenson, both 74, were found dead in their Ridge Edge Court home in Florence over Memorial Day weekend last year. Investigators have questioned several people in the case, but nobody has been charged.

The family has also offered a reward of $5,000.

Police are not commenting on the investigation at this time.

As for Kearney he says he and his family have now changed the way they live.

"Now we're locking our doors and we never did.  I put a padlock on the garage. Once again these are things we've never done up here.  I don't think I've locked my door the whole time I've been here," said Kearney.

Anyone with information on either case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at (513)352-3040. You do not have to give your name and may receive cash if your clues lead to an arrest.