Man faces $25K civil suit in wife’s death

Husband facing trial for his role in death after indictment.

The administrator TROY — of the estate of Samantha Freels, who died from a gunshot wound Jan. 12 in Union Twp., Miami County, filed a lawsuit against her husband, Randy Freels, who is charged with murder in the death.

The wrongful death lawsuit filed Tuesday by Anthony C. Freels, estate administrator, claims Randy Freels “inten- tionally and willfully, and/ or recklessly, and/or negligently, caused the death.”

The suit was filed in county Common Pleas Court on behalf of Samantha Freels’ next of kin. The suit claims they suffered dam a ges because of her death.

A judgment for more than $25,000 is sought along with punitive damages. A jury trial is requested.

Samantha Freels, 52, was found deceased in her car the afternoon of Jan. 12 along Ohio 55 near West Milton. Responders initially thought she died in a car accident during a snow storm.

Investigators found a bullet hole in her car, leading to the discovery of the gunshot wound.

Randy Freels was indicted by a county grand jury on charges of murder, feloni- ous assault, discharging a firearm into a habitat and tampering with evidence. He has pleaded not guilty and is being held in lieu of $1.5 million bail.

A trial in the criminal case has been scheduled to begin April 17 in Common Pleas Court.