BELMONT, Ohio (WTRF) – Back in September 2021, Tom and Angela Strussion were found murdered in their Belmont County home. Since then, their families have tried everything possible to find answers, such as rewards, and even put up billboards all over the city.
They are searching further and they say they are confident.
Sheryl McCollum is the founder and director of the Cold Case Investigative Research Institute, an organization that assists families and law enforcement with unsolved homicide, missing persons and kidnapping cases.
Tom and Angela Strussion and their three pets were killed in a house fire in 2021, leaving the victim’s family and community wondering what happened.
Sheryl and her team of experts from around the country are using what Sheryl calls “new cutting-edge DNA retrieval technology” to investigate crime scenes.
Asked if she had seen similar cases resolved, she responded: “Of course. That’s why we’re here.”
There’s no substitute for keeping your feet on the ground, walking and knowing what’s going on, she said. She explains her process in today’s inquiry.
“Well, the first thing I do is want to go in alone. I don’t want anyone to tell me anything. I don’t even want to know the layout of the house because if it’s a stranger, I want their vision and understanding I want to see how many places I think are intentionally lit, and then when I’m done I’ll be able to report back to them and we’re on the same page right away.”
Sheryl McCollum – Director, Cold Case Institute
After two years of wishful calls, awards and now billboards in the area, they hope this will bring them the justice law enforcement has been looking for.
“You have a phenomenal department here,” Shirley said of local law enforcement. “They were passionate. They were smart. They were loyal. They didn’t hide anything from us. They opened what we call the ‘murder box’. I can’t say enough praises about them. You’re lucky.
The bounty has been posted on the Crimestoppers Upper Ohio Valley website and social media pages for a while, and some hints have been picked up from the public, but more hints are needed.
The billboard urges anyone with information to call 1-877-TIPS4US.
Sources can be kept completely anonymous and confidential if desired, they said.
Follow 7News and wtrf.com for any updates on this developing story.
