Cause of death revealed for 8-year-old boy found in attic

Daniel Griffin, Mark Feuerborn, Brian Hofmann, Orri Benatar and David DeGuzman

2 hours ago

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COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — The 8-year-old boy whose body was found before an Amber Alert was issued for his siblings Friday night died from “deep neck compression,” court records show.

The boy’s mother, Lashanda Wilder, 32, and his girlfriend Johnna Lowe, 33, are scheduled to appear in Franklin County Municipal Court Monday morning; Wilder faces charges of murder and obstruction of justice while Lowe faces a charge of obstruction of justice.

Court records indicate the Franklin County Coroner’s Office ruled Saturday that the boy’s death was a homicide.

Police say Wilder and two of his children were the subject of an Amber Alert issued Friday night. While investigating the case, Columbus police found the body of Wilder’s son, Martonio Wilder, in a trash bag hidden in the attic of the family’s home, police said.

Wilder’s two other children were found safe at the home of one of Lowe’s acquaintances later Friday evening after the alert. They were placed in the custody of Franklin County Child Services.

Columbus police were first called to Wilder’s home around noon Friday, where Wilder said he last saw Martonio Thursday night, according to court records.

Police issued a missing person report for Martonio, but did not upgrade the case to an Amber Alert. They began a canine search of the neighborhood, after which Wilder and Lowe left without telling police where they were going. They were accompanied by the other two children, ages 9 and 3.

When police were unable to locate Wilder, officers obtained a search warrant for the home, which led to the discovery of the boy’s body.

Arrest warrants were issued for Wilder and Lowe early Saturday; both were in custody at 5 p.m.