Inside the Abandoned Murder House: The Samantha Guthrie Case

On a chilly evening in November 2018, a frantic mother called the Akron Police Department, reporting that her daughter, 18-year-old Samantha Guthrie, had vanished without a trace. That call would mark the beginning of one of the most disturbing and tangled criminal investigations the city had ever seen — one involving an abandoned house, a group of dangerous young adults, and a murder mystery that would span months, multiple suspects, and a desperate search for the truth.

A Disturbing Call

Samantha’s mother, Joanie, could barely hold back her panic as she recounted what little she knew: someone had called claiming Samantha had been shot in the head, stuffed in a car trunk, and taken away. The address given was 375 Lillian Street — a dilapidated house in a rough part of town, one that had already been slated for boarding up.

Joanie confessed that her daughter had recently fallen into the wrong crowd. After turning 18, Samantha left home and was frequently seen at abandoned homes used by drug users. The police initially didn’t find anything at the house, and even hinted that the report might be a hoax. But that sense of doubt would vanish the next morning.

A Witness Emerges

A man named John Marshall came forward, claiming he had been at the house the night Samantha disappeared. Skeptical but desperate for leads, the police began questioning him. What Marshall revealed wasn’t just helpful — it broke the case wide open.

He recalled that Samantha arrived at the house via Uber, allegedly paid for by her father. That information was easily confirmed — her father had indeed sent her a ride to that exact address. This gave Marshall’s testimony immediate credibility.

He then described the people present: Danny Hamby, Tony, William, and others, including someone named Yoshi. These names would recur as the investigation unraveled, forming a list of suspects and witnesses whose connections would become key.

The Moment of Horror

According to Marshall, Samantha had gone upstairs to talk with others. Music played loudly, drowning out most of the conversation. But soon, Samantha came downstairs looking “distraught.” Marshall urged her to leave if she felt unsafe, and she headed toward the basement. A few minutes later, she came back upstairs — this time with what appeared to be a busted lip or bloody nose.

Then came the terrifying moment that would haunt Marshall’s memory: as Samantha fled down the stairs again, Danny followed — and then, without warning, shot her in the back of the head.

Despite the horror of what he’d seen, Marshall remained clear and consistent. He said Samantha’s body was moved by William and Yoshi and placed into a car, possibly while she was still alive but unconscious and dying. He also named the gun: a Smith & Wesson M&P 40. Suddenly, a vague disappearance was now suspected to be a cold-blooded execution.

Returning to Lillian Street

Police quickly returned to the house on Lillian Street, this time knowing what to look for. Their first visit hadn’t uncovered any blood or evidence of a shooting, but Marshall had an explanation — William and Yoshi had returned to clean up the scene. Still, they had one clue to go on: Marshall told them exactly where the shooting occurred.

Officers cleared the home cautiously. It was in shambles, a place abandoned not just by residents but seemingly by hope. At first glance, nothing obvious screamed murder. But that would soon change.

On the wall near the staircase — the very spot where Marshall said the shooting happened — officers discovered what appeared to be dried blood stains. It was subtle, smeared, partially scrubbed, but unmistakable. The pattern, the location, and the timing aligned perfectly with Marshall’s account.

Web of Suspects

With physical evidence now backing up Marshall’s story, the police began searching for the individuals he named. Danny Hamby, Tony, William, Yoshi — these weren’t strangers to local law enforcement. Some had prior arrests. Others had records linking them to gang activity and drug use.

The investigation was no longer about whether Samantha had been harmed. It was now a homicide case — and it wasn’t just one killer. This was a conspiracy involving multiple people, all present during the shooting, and some helping dispose of the body.

What remained unclear was Samantha’s exact fate. Had she died instantly? Was there still hope? Forensic analysis of the scene and the retrieval of additional evidence — fingerprints, DNA, surveillance footage — became urgent.

A Deadly Partnership

Investigators soon uncovered a terrifying detail: Danny Hamby and Tony, the woman with him that night, were romantically involved — a killer couple operating without remorse. By the time police linked their names to the scene, both had already fled town. Surveillance and informant tips placed them on the run, possibly seeking their next victim.

It appeared that Samantha’s death wasn’t an isolated tragedy, but part of a pattern. Rumors began surfacing of other disappearances, suggesting the pair may have committed additional crimes. Every hour they remained free heightened the danger to the public.

A Community in Shock

As the case made local headlines, Akron residents reacted with a mix of fear and heartbreak. Samantha was young, vulnerable, and had made bad choices — but she didn’t deserve to die. Her story resonated with many families struggling with loved ones trapped in addiction or dangerous circles.

Police vowed to bring justice not just for Samantha, but to hold accountable everyone involved in the conspiracy that led to her death. The house on Lillian Street was no longer just a crumbling building — it was a symbol of lost lives and community neglect.

The Road Ahead

By early 2019, arrests began rolling in. Several suspects were taken into custody, while others remained at large. Investigators continued building the case — with John Marshall’s testimony serving as a cornerstone. His decision to come forward, despite fear of retaliation, had changed everything.

The full truth of what happened to Samantha Guthrie is still being uncovered. Her body was eventually found in a remote area, confirming the worst. But her story — and the web of deceit, violence, and complicity it exposed — has sparked ongoing efforts in Akron to better address crime, addiction, and the forgotten corners of the city.

Samantha’s legacy may be tragic, but the light she cast on this dark underworld may help prevent others from meeting the same fate.

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