Remains Found In Ohio May Be Missing Ypsilanti Man
TOLEDO (WWJ/AP) - Investigators are trying to confirm whether remains found at a northwest Ohio property are those of a Michigan man who's been missing for months.
The remains found Tuesday near Leipsic, in a rural area about 40 miles southwest of Toledo, might belong to 52-year-old Brian Martin of Ypsilanti.
Martin was reported missing by his daughter on June 28. The last time Martin was seen, he was coaching a softball game near Toledo on June 22. Martin was expected to be in Louisville, Kentucky that same night, but he never showed.
Robert Strauss and his wife Desirae Strauss, both of Toledo, are suspected of bludgeoning Martin to death. The couple was charged in July after police found evidence at their home indicating Martin was attacked there. Incidentally, the couple was located in Indiana after police received a complaint they were dealing drugs out of a vehicle that turned out to be Martin's.
One of Martin's daughters told police he had been romantically involved with Desirae Strauss for several years. According to a police report, Desirae Strauss' mother told officers that she saw Martin at the Strauss' home on June 22.
According to reports, Martin apparently believed he was the father of Desirae Strauss' recently born twins. Martin was allegedly pressing Desirae Strauss to take a paternity test — which she refused. Reports say Robert Strauss found out about his wife's relationship with Martin shortly before his disappearance.
Martin's daughters tell WTOL-TV that identifying the remains might bring their family some closure after months of waiting and wondering.
"We just really want to bring him home and give him a proper burial, because he didn't deserve to have any of this happen to him and he didn't deserve to you know, be put somewhere," said daughter Rachel Martin.
"It's one of those things where you obviously don't want to find out that your loved one's body is found and stuff like that but we'd rather it be found so we can go through the process of grieving," daughter Andrea Martin added.
The Strausses remain jailed on charges of aggravated murder, murder, tampering with evidence and grand theft of a motor vehicle.
Anyone with information on the case is urged to contact police at 419-245-3340 or Crime Stoppers of Ohio at 419-255-1111.
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