Woman's death case reopened based on Grate's interview

MANSFIELD — Authorities reopened the case of the late Rebekah L. Leicy in light of statements made by a suspected serial killer.Based on information from an interview with Shawn Grate and "other sources," Richland County authorities determined it warranted reopening the Leicy case "and take another look at it," Mansfield Police Capt. Shari Roberston told the Reflector."Since it is an ongoing investigation, I can't comment on what was said in that interview," she added.Roberston declined to say if Grate and Leicy may have known each other.Police announced Tuesday it is working with the Richland County Prosecutor's Office and Ashland authorities in reopening the case "to determine if Shawn Grate is involved in Ms. Leicy's disappearance and/or death in an effort to bring closure to the Leicy family and this case."Grate, 40, is charged with two counts of murder in connection with the deaths of Greenwich resident Stacey Stanley and Elizabeth Griffith, of Ashland. He also faces one count of kidnapping stemming from a woman who reported being abducted when she called 9-1-1 from the bed she was sharing with Grate — who was naked at the time of the Sept. 13 call. She was rescued from the downtown Ashland house. Grate's bond at the Ashland County Jail is $1 million.Authorities have implicated Grate in several other murders.Roberston said detectives notified Leicy's father about the case being reopened before Tuesday's announcement. "We wanted him to hear it from us first," Robertson added. "We haven't talked to any other family members."From what she has heard, Roberston said Leicy's father "hasn't made himself available to the media" and may have chased some reporters off his property."Our concern is with the victim and her family," Roberston added.Leicy, 31, of Mansfield, was reported missing Feb. 6, 2015 out of the city.Robertson said police searched nearly 60 vacant buildings and houses in and near Mansfield.Leicy's body was found March 16, 2015 in Ashland County. Police have said a Columbia Gas employee was checking gas wells on County Road 1908 just south of U.S. 30 in Mifflin Township when he found Leicy's body behind a tree.Authorities initially determined Leicy died of a drug overdose and there was no evidence of traumatic foul play. According to the toxicology report released in June 2015, the suspected OD involved cocaine, morphine and buprenorphine. The Mansfield News Journal had reported Leicy "was known to use heroin" and citing police and Ashland County Coroner Dr. Dale R. Thomae's coroner summary report, added she "was a known prostitute."In reopening the case, Mansfield police have said they have searched Walnut Street addresses, but the press release didn't say why. The Reflector had emailed several questions to Prosecutor Bambi Couch Page, who said she was "unable to answer your questions at this time."Robertson was asked Thursday why Leicy's death was ruled as an overdose. She said drugs were involved and added "in the autopsy report, it was not ruled a homicide." Leicy, who was born March 24, 1983 in Mansfield, was the daughter of Linda E. Smith and Robert L. Leicy.LeicyGrate