The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Ex-boyfriend charged in woman’s death
A 40-year-old Collins man was arrested in connection with the death of Amanda Dean, who was reported missing by her family in 2017 in Huron County.
Frederick Reer of 1744 Wells Road is facing charges of murder, a first-degree felony; gross abuse of a corpse, a fifth-degree felony; and four counts of tampering with evidence, all third-degree felonies, according to Huron County Common Pleas Court records.
Reer was arrested Feb. 9 by Huron County sheriff’s deputies on a secret indictment.
Dean was involved with Reer in a turbulent romantic relationship with a history of domestic violence at the time of her disappearance, her family has said.
She was last seen at Reer’s residence before her disappearance in July 2017.
Dean leaves behind her children, siblings and mother, who were described as a close-knit family as the family sought answers into her disappearance.
Early last year, anonymous persons donated $10,000 to help find Dean.
The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigations was investigating the case.
Cleveland Missing, a nonprofit based in Cleveland, has been advocating for the family during the investigation.
“While this case is still unfolding, the family of Amanda Dean is grateful for the work put forth by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office Bureau of Criminal Investigation who took over the case in December 2022,” stated a news release issued by Cleveland Missing the day of Reer’s arrest.
The organization also stated Dean’s family will not address the media and that they asked for “privacy during this difficult time.”
Dean’s eldest son Joshua Dean, issued the following statement in a social media post: “This is a whole new level of hurt. My brothers and I are truly in a rough spot mentally and we appreciate all the love and support we have from all of you. we are going to say one thing. Thank you to BCI and Cleveland missing for all the support
and spreading the word of our mother! Our family is dealing with a lot right now. Thank you everyone that has stood by our side through all of this.”
During an arraignment hearing Feb. 12, presiding Huron County Common Pleas Judge James Conway set Reer’s bond at $1 million, according to the clerk’s office.
The court scheduled a pretrial for March 11 and a jury trial is scheduled for May 1, stated court records.