Pit bulls that mauled grandma to death found to be on cocaine: lawsuit

A Tragic Loss: The Mauled Death of Ohio Grandmother JoAnn Echelbarger

The tragic death of 73-year-old JoAnn Echelbarger has sent shockwaves through her Ohio community, leaving her family and neighbors grappling with grief and outrage. The grandmother was fatally attacked by her neighbor’s pit bulls, Echo and Apollo, while she was peacefully gardening in the common area of her Ashton condominium in October. The attack not only took her life but also revealed disturbing details about the dogs’ behavior and the negligence of those responsible for their care. This heartbreaking incident has raised questions about accountability, safety, and the failure of local authorities to act on repeated red flags.

The Horrific Attack and Its Aftermath

JoAnn Echelbarger’s final moments were nothing short of terrifying. She was ripped apart by the two pit bulls, which were roaming freely in the condominium’s common areas, while her husband, Stanley, who suffers from dementia and is wheelchair-bound, helplessly witnessed the attack. The complaint filed by the family describes how JoAnn screamed for her life as the dogs mauled her for several minutes. Even when police arrived and opened fire to stop the attack, one of the dogs continued its assault. The sheer brutality of the incident has left the family traumatized, with JoAnn’s daughter, Earlene Romine, expressing her disbelief: “She did not deserve this. She was tortured, and she suffered.”

The Dogs’ Toxic Behavior and Their Owners’ Conviction

The attack took a more shocking turn when it was revealed that both dogs tested positive for cocaine. This discovery has raised questions about the behavior of the dogs’ owners, Adam Withers and his mother, Susan. Court records show that both were convicted of involuntary manslaughter in connection with JoAnn’s death. The family has slammed the owners for their reckless behavior, accusing them of prioritizing their dogs over human life. Bill Rogers, JoAnn’s son, expressed his anger: “How do you not look at them as villains responsible for killing your mom?”

A Pattern of Negligence and Warnings Ignored

The lawsuit filed by JoAnn’s family alleges that the tragedy could have been prevented if authorities and the condominium association had acted on multiple red flags. Police body camera footage revealed that officers had responded to reports just weeks before the attack that Echo and Apollo had ingested Adam Withers’ cocaine. Despite this, the dogs were allowed to remain in the condominium, even after the Witherses failed to comply with an order to remove them. The lawsuit also cites social media posts by Adam Withers, in which he taunted building management, writing, “Never ask a pitbull owner to choose between you and their pitbulls. Because they will choose, and it won’t be you.” Bill Rogers called the situation “reckless,” stating, “I feel like they were gambling with a lot of people’s lives that day, and she was the one who paid the price.”

The Family’s Quest for Justice

JoAnn’s family is now seeking justice through a wrongful death lawsuit, naming the Witherses, the condominium association, and the county dog warden as defendants. The suit accuses these parties of negligence and failure to act on the numerous warnings about the dogs’ behavior. The family is seeking compensatory damages exceeding $25,000 and punitive damages to hold the responsible parties accountable. Rex Elliot, the family’s attorney, emphasized the importance of accountability: “We are looking for justice. Local authorities had a responsibility to take those dogs out of there.”

A Community Left to Mourn and Reflect

The loss of JoAnn Echelbarger has left her family, friends, and community to mourn a life cut short in the most brutal manner. Her death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of accountability and the need for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies. As the legal battle unfolds, JoAnn’s loved ones hope that her death will not be in vain and that justice will be served. Her legacy as a kind and loving grandmother will live on, even as her family fights for the justice she deserves.