Samantha Kelly, 43, was found dead inside a vehicle on Tytus Avenue before police arrested a 51-year-old man.
MIDDLETOWN, Ohio — What began as a welfare check at a Middletown apartment complex became a homicide investigation after officers found 43-year-old Samantha Victoria Kelly dead inside a vehicle, authorities said.
The Middletown Division of Police responded to the 4000 block of Tytus Avenue shortly after 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5. Officers found Kelly inside a vehicle with fatal injuries. The Butler County Coroner’s Office later determined that she died from a gunshot wound and ruled the death a homicide.
Police arrested Darwin Malcolm, 51, following the investigation. He faces charges of murder, tampering with evidence and gross abuse of a corpse. Authorities have said the investigation remains open, and the charges against Malcolm have not been proven in court.
Police initially released few details about what officers encountered during the welfare check. Investigators remained at the Tytus Avenue scene into the early hours of the next morning as they examined the area and gathered evidence. Officials have not publicly disclosed who requested the welfare check or what circumstances prompted the call.
Court records later provided additional allegations about events before Kelly was found. A criminal complaint accuses Malcolm of shooting Kelly inside an apartment and moving her body to a Chevrolet Tahoe, where investigators say she was covered with a blanket. The complaint also alleges evidence was removed from the apartment or discarded after the shooting.
As investigators worked to reconstruct Kelly’s final hours, a neighbor described her as a friendly woman who was willing to help others. The neighbor told WLWT that Kelly, whom she knew as Sammy, had offered personal advice and helped her obtain food when she was in need.
The same neighbor told the station that Malcolm brought several items to her before the police investigation, describing them as housewarming gifts. She said the group of items included household goods and a wrapped handgun. Investigators allege in court records that Malcolm also disposed of a shell casing and a bloodied towel in a dumpster. Authorities have not publicly released forensic findings concerning those items.
The coroner’s identification of Kelly and homicide ruling provided the first official confirmation of the victim’s name and cause of death after police announced the arrest. No motive has been publicly established. Officials also have not released a broader account of what may have happened before the alleged shooting.
Malcolm’s case is moving through the local court system while the police investigation continues. His bond was set at $1 million during a Nov. 6 appearance, according to a report citing court records, and another court proceeding was scheduled for Nov. 13.
Police have continued asking for information related to the case. Kelly’s death remains under investigation as authorities gather evidence and prosecutors pursue the criminal charges already filed against Malcolm.
Author note: Last updated November 9, 2026.