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Miami University murder-suicide victim called police night before death
A Miami University student died Sunday morning in what appears to be a murder-suicide, according to the Oxford Police Department.
WCPO
Police are still investigating the double shooting in an off-campus apartment.
WCPO
Shootings in off-campus apartment complex frighten residents.
WCPO
COLLEGE STUDENT SLAIN IN MURDER-SUCIDE: Miami Univerity student Rebecca Eldemire, 21, called police on Jan. 31, 2015 and reported that her ex-boyfriend was outside her Oxford apartment and had driven from Columbus uninvited. After police arrived, she agreed to talk with him in her apartment, and Eldemire told police they could leave. A short time later, Larry E. Tipton, 27, shot Eldemire and then himself, police said. Officers found their bodies and Tipton's gun in the bedroom.
Copyright 2015 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Police tape cordons off Building 8 at the Level 27 Apartments where a Miami student was killed in a suspected murder-suicide. (WCPO)
Copyright 2015 Scripps Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
OXFORD, Ohio – The victim in an apparent murder-suicide called Oxford police to help her confront an ex-boyfriend the night before she was killed, according to department spokesperson Sgt. Jon Varley.
Rebecca C. Eldemire, 21, contacted police at 9:56 p.m. Saturday as Larry E. Tipton, 27, stood outside of her Level 27 Apartment located at 3770 Southpointe Parkway.
"At the request of Miss Eldemire, Mr. Tipton was escorted up to her apartment where they had a conversation with officers present," Varley said. "After a brief conversation, Miss Eldemire told officers they could leave as they were no longer needed."
Tipton traveled uninvited from the Columbus area to speak with Eldemire, a junior at Miami University.
At 8:45 a.m. Sunday, Oxford police were called back to the complex, located about a mile south of the university. Her suite mates called the cops after hearing a smoke alarm in Eldemire's locked bedroom.
"The suite mates further stated that they heard loud bangs," Varley said.
Police forced their way into the room where they found Eldemire and Tipton shot to death with a gun in between them. There was no sign of a struggle.
Detectives spent most of Sunday in the third floor apartment where Eldemire died.
On Monday, a spokeswoman from Miami University described the geology and geological information major as a hard worker, who was well respected by her peers.
"She worked at one of our libraries on campus and one of her supervisors called her, and I'm going to quote, 'A fantastic worker, quick to learn new tasks and very recently became engaged in a research study for the library. She had just been promoted to the student shift supervisor this semester. Her smile and her laughter will be deeply missed at the library,'" said Claire Wagner.
Later Monday night, Eldemire's uncle, Stephen Wright said on behalf of her family:
"We are deeply saddened by the loss of our beautiful daughter Rebecca. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers, but ask that you respect the family’s privacy at this time. The Rebecca C. Eldemire BEEPS (Betterment for Environmental and Earth Protection) Foundation will be created in her honor, striving toward Rebecca’s lifelong goal of creating a more sustainable planet.”
Family members Larry and MaryBeth Tipton also released a statement Monday night:
“As you can imagine, this horrible tragedy has left our family in shock and absolutely heartbroken. To lose our son, and also Becca, whom we loved like a member of our family, is unthinkable. We ask that our privacy be respected as we cope with this as a family and appreciate the prayers and understanding of our friends and community.”
Eldemire's funeral is set for Wednesday.
Miami students living in the complex were in shock and disbelief Sunday.
"It was really and scary and, of course, I was really worried," said Victoria Slater.
"This kind of thing never happens since I've been here and it's unsettling," said Connor Moriarty.
Miami University President David Hodge expressed sadness as well.
“This is a terrible tragedy,” said Hodge, who was notified while traveling. “Our hearts go out to the families and friends. It is an incredibly painful and sad time for Miami.”
Wagner emphasized resources available to grieving students and those students seeking help in domestic violence situations.
Miami is providing counseling and other resources to those affected 513-529-4634 http://t.co/HlV2W7HTXI
