The Brittany Stykes murder case is getting a fresh look and new resources.
The investigation was discussed at a joint press conference on January 10 with Brown County Prosecuting Attorney Zac Corbin, Brown County Sheriff Gordon Ellis and Special Agent Seth Hagaman of the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
“For the last three and a half years, this case has plagued this community and law enforcement within the community, but most of all, it’s plagued Brittany’s family,” said Corbin.
“There is nothing that I would like to see or place a higher priority on than resolving this case for Brittany’s family and for the Brown County community.”
Stykes was shot as she drove north on Highway 68 just south of Georgetown in August of 2013. She and her unborn baby died in the attack.  Her toddler daughter Aubree was also injured by a bullet wound to the head, but has recovered.
Ellis described the changes in the case at the local level.
“The best way to move forward is to assign the case to John Burke of the Brown County Drug and Major Crimes Task Force.  Commander Burke has a wealth of experience in homicide investigations.  The other thing that we have done at the Brown County Sheriff’s Office is to apply whatever resources are necessary to move this case to a successful conclusion,” Ellis said.
“The bottom line is we understand that we have a grieving family here that has lost a loved one.  We are going to do our absolute best to ensure that we give them closure in this case.”
Hagaman said that his agency was ready to help in any way it can.
“We are here to partner with the prosecutor and the sheriff’s office to ensure that all leads are followed and that this is a thorough and complete investigation.”
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 888-352-3040 or text “CINTIP” plus your tip to CRIMES (274637). Tips can also be sent to Crime Stoppers online at http://crime-stoppers.us/submit-a-tip/.
Mary and David Dodson spoke extensively on how the nearly four year investigation has affected them and their family.
Their comments and more details on this story are in the January12 edition of The News Democrat.