Shelby woman’s body found in car trunk
MANSFIELD -- An 18-day search for a Shelby woman -- missing since late February in a kidnapping investigation -- has ended with her body being located in the car trunk of her vehicle that was in the Columbus area, authorities announced Monday.
The body of Melinda Kay Davis, 33, was found in the trunk of the 2013 Volkswagen Jetta that she last was seen driving Feb. 25, law enforcement said at a news conference Monday at the Richland County Sheriff’s Office.
A cause of death has not been determined, pending an autopsy being conducted by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office.
The investigation into her death also is continuing.
“This case is only just beginning,” Richland County Prosecutor Gary
Bishop said.
Court papers are on file in the Mansfield Municipal Court where bond was set at $1 million on March 5 for John Henry Mack Jr., 44, of Mansfield, who faces a kidnapping charge in the disappearance of his former girlfriend, Davis. The U.S. Marshals confirmed Mack’s arrest on March 4 in Mansfield.
“Primarily blood” -found in Mack’s residence -- led to the kidnapping charge, Bishop said in response to a question Monday.
As the investigation continues, Mack continues to face two current charges, kidnapping and in another case stemming from the investigation, receiving stolen property in the unrelated matter, Bishop said.
“The charges and the number of charges will be determined at a later date once this investigation is fully completed and submitted to us,” Bishop
DAVID JACOBS/SDG NEWSPAPERS
said.
Bishop said he would not comment on the location of where Davis was killed. “The case is still subject to review,” said Bishop, who later added he was not prepared to talk about any motive.
At the March 15 news conference attended by Shelby police, state, federal and Richland
County law enforcement, Sheriff J. Steve Sheldon announced the discovery of Davis’ body.
“We received a phone