2003 Columbus, Ohio arson

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2003 Columbus, Ohio arson
2003 Columbus, Ohio arson
Date13 April 2003;22 years ago (2003-04-13)
Time4:00 AM [1]
Location64 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, United States
Coordinates 40°00′08″N83°00′24″W / 40.002306°N 83.006701°W / 40.002306; -83.006701
Type Arson
MotiveUnknown
Deaths
  • Alan Schlessman (21)
  • Kyle Raulin (20)
  • Andrea Dennis (20)
  • Erin DeMarco (19)
  • Christine Wilson (19)
Non-fatal injuries3 [1]
SuspectsRobert Patterson
ConvictionsNone

On 13 April 2003, a fire was set at a house in the University District of Columbus, Ohio, killing five university students (two from Ohio State University and three from Ohio University). Despite an arrest early on, the murders have remained unsolved.

Contents

Events

Prior to the fire, a party was being hosted at the house where 12 OSU students lived for the 21st birthday of Ohio State University student Alan Schlessman. [1] [2] Around 200 people had attended the party, with 16 staying afterwards. Sometime during the night a fire was started at the front door of the house. [3] Eight students managed to escape on their own while three more were rescued by the fire department through the back door when they arrived a 4:05. [4] All five victims were found on the second floor of the house, and had died from carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation. [4]

Victims

The five victims of the fire were: [2]

Suspect

A vagrant with prior conviction, Robert Patterson was arrested four months after the fire. [5] Investigators from the Columbus Police Department said that at some point Patterson had implicated himself in the crime. Despite this the charges were dropped by the prosecutor due to lack of evidence. [5]

References

  1. 1 2 3 "House fire kills 5 students near Ohio State University". Lawrence Journal-World. 14 April 2003. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  2. 1 2 "Decade Later, Survivors Recall Deadly Unsolved OSU Blaze". Firehouse. 15 April 2013. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  3. ↑ Fecteau, Olivia (13 April 2017). "Still no answers 14 years after Ohio State University fatal fire". NBC4i. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  4. 1 2 Beck, Traci (13 April 2003). "Five die in 17th avenue blaze". The Lantern. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
  5. 1 2 "Arson deaths of 5 students unsolved 5 years later". The Columbus Dispatch. 13 April 2008. Retrieved 23 September 2025.
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