September 16 – Led to manhunt and shooting of suspect
More information has been released about a murder that occurred in Ironton on September 8, sparking a multi-state manhunt that spanned the next 40 hours.
Ironton Det. Captain Brian Pauley issued a statement Tuesday describing the call early in the case.
Pauley said that on September 8 around 8:30 p.m., officers received a call from a male subject, whose name was not released at this time, stating that he had just spoken with David Maynard of Ironton, who told him to call 911.
Pauley said Maynard told the man he had just tied up his girlfriend and shot his stepfather at 2607 S. Third St. At that time, the caller did not know if Maynard was still in the house.
Ironton officers, as well as Lawrence County sheriff’s deputies, as well as officers from the Sitting Rock and South Point police departments, responded to the scene and entered the home.
Donald Wood, 78, was found deceased inside the home and a woman, whose name is not being released, was tied up, Pauley said.
Detectives from the Ironton Police Department and investigators from the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office responded to the scene and began the investigation. The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation was contacted to assist in processing the crime scene and detectives conducted interviews with people at the scene.
Pauley said interviews revealed Maynard attacked the female around 5 p.m. and shortly afterward she heard what she called “two pops.”
According to a surveillance camera near the home, Maynard left the home in a white Ford Ranger owned by Wood around 7 p.m.
Detectives from the Ironton Police Department, as well as investigators from the prosecutor’s office, obtained a search warrant for the home, as well as a murder warrant.
Officers then continued the search for Maynard, but believe he was almost two hours ahead before officers arrived.
Maynard then continued his crime spree over the Tri-State over the next few hours, Pauley said.
Maynard kidnapped a woman and stole her car in Carter County, Kentucky, and then did the same to another woman in Louisa, Kentucky. Both women were found unharmed.
Maynard ended up early Sunday at a Speedway in Ceredo, West Virginia, where he took a clerk and two others hostage.
Maynard released two of the hostages after police arrived, while the clerk was unharmed and released after Maynard was shot and killed by officers.
Pauley emphasized that Ironton police would not release information about Maynard’s crimes after he left Ironton, which were outside their jurisdiction.
Pauley said he also wanted to address rumors about a previous encounter Maynard had with Ironton police.
“Earlier this week, officers were contacted about a stolen bicycle, with Mr Maynard being a suspect in that theft, due to the vehicle description and tag matching,” he said. Officers went to the home on South Third, where they were never able to make contact with Mr. Maynard. Officers never received a call from Mr Maynard threatening anyone with a knife and an attempt to contact Mr Maynard was due to the theft. Once again, our city has been struck by tragedy and individuals are using this to further their own agenda. We at law enforcement know that this is causing stress and anxiety within the community during these events and we are trying to keep the public informed, but it must also be said that these are active investigations and not all details can be released.”
Pauley said the Ironton Police Department would like to thank the Lawrence County Prosecutor’s Office, the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, the Ironton Fire Department, the South Point Police Department, the Suspension Rock Police Department, the Lawrence County Coroner’s Office and BCI for their assistance in the investigation, as well as agencies in Kentucky and West Virginia for their involvement.
