The intellectually disabled are among the most vulnerable within the community. While many can lead normal lives, including holding down a job and raising a family, there are a number that sadly suffer in silence and need that extra bit of help. In an ideal world, those that struggle mentally would have a mentor or a guardian that have their very best interests at heart and assist them with their life decisions.
However, sadly for 24-year-old Vera Jo Reigle from Findlay, Ohio, she was truly alone in the world and those who appeared closest to her, were – in reality – her number one enemy. Poverty, drugs, neglect and abuse made up the four walls of a literal house of horrors for Vera Jo and in 2011, her disturbing death reverberated in a community which prides itself on being caring and compassionate and led to a discussion about what could be done to better identify and assist those who may be unwilling or unable to ask for help.
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Sources:
The Courier, 30 March, 2011 – “Victim’s Family Seeking Answers”
The Lima News, 29 March, 2011 – “Two Charged in Slaying of Findlay Woman”
Norwalk Reflector, 30 March, 2011 – “$1M Bond Set for Tiffin Man Accused of Woman’s Slaying”
The Courier, 2 April, 2011 – “Disturbing Story Emerges of Murdered Woman’s Life”
The Courier, 5 April, 2011 – “Murdered Woman’s Child in Foster Care”
The Courier, 6 April, 2011 – “Vera’s Legacy”
The Courier, 6 April, 2011 – “Man Indicted for Murder”
The Courier, 7 April, 2011 – “2nd Murder Suspect Named”
The Courier, 8 April, 2011 – “Murder Suspect Moved to Jail”
The Courier, 23 April, 2011 – “City Murder Suspect Faces New Allegation”
The Courier, 30 April, 2011 – “Judge Binds Teen Over to Adult Court”
The Courier, 17 May, 2011 – “Bixler Murder Trial Delayed Until Fall”
Review Times, 17 May, 2011 – “Benefit Planned to Purchase Headstone for Murder Victim”
The Courier, 18 May, 2011 – “More Charges Filed in Reigle Murder Case”
Review Times, 27 May, 2011 – “Brooks Family Members Arraigned in Murder Case”
The Courier, 14 June, 2011 – “Reigle Murder Suspect Enters Insanity Plea”
The Courier, 15 July, 2011 – “Teenager Charged with Obstructing Murder Probe”
The Courier, 16 July, 2011 – “Judge Orders Bixler Evaluation”
The Courier, 29 July, 2011 – “Suspect’s Rights Were Violated”
The Courier, 13 August, 2011 – “Brooks to Testify in Murder Cases”
The Courier, 16 August, 2011 – “2nd Member of Brooks Family Agrees to Testify”
The Courier, 27 August, 2011 – “Murder Suspect to Get 2nd Evaluation”
The Courier, 3 September, 2011 – “Peters Not a Suspect at First”
The Courier, 20 October, 2011 – “Second Man Sentenced in Reigle Case”
The Courier, 27 October, 2011 – “Brooks Matriarch Sentenced”
The Courier, 21 January, 2012 – “He Doesn’t Have a Sorry Bone in his Pathetic Body”
The Blade, 31 Janaury, 2012 – “Fistoria Woman Sentenced in Murder”
The Courier, 31 January, 2012 – “Peters Sentenced to 23-Year Term”
The Courier, 29 March, 2012 – “Bixler Sentenced for Reigle Murder”
The Courier, 29 March, 2012 – “Vera Reigle”
The Courier, 26 November, 2013 – “Post-Mortem”
The Courier, 6 December, 2013 – “Gravestone Donated for Murder Victim”
Audio Sources:
“Goodnight Sugar Babe – The Killing of Vera Jo Reigle”
