Crime
Update on Darke County fatal shooting and crash incident, victim and suspect identified
Greenville, OH – March 2025 – Following further investigation and information released by Darke County Coroner Dr. Susan Brown, Sheriff Mark Whittaker has provided an updated account of the violent events that unfolded on Thursday, resulting in a double homicide and a high-speed chase ending in a fatal crash.
Authorities now confirm that Josiah “Joe” Maloon, 57, of 2535 State Route 571, Greenville, OH, brutally beat and fatally shot his wife, Juanita Maloon, 53, at their residence.
The Darke County Coroner’s Office has ruled Juanita Maloon’s cause of death as a homicide due to a gunshot wound to the head.
At approximately 2:15 p.m., Randy Ward II, 47, of Ansonia, OH, arrived at the Maloon residence at the request of Joe Maloon for a transaction.
Upon arrival, Ward followed Maloon’s instructions to retrieve cash from his vehicle.
It was at this moment that Joe Maloon emerged from his home and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds at Ward.
Ward attempted to escape by running to his vehicle, but was struck by gunfire multiple times. Despite his injuries, he managed to flee in his Dodge Challenger.
Joe Maloon pursued him in a Nissan Pathfinder SUV, continuing to fire shots while also ramming Ward’s vehicle in an attempt to force him off the road.
The high-speed pursuit ended when both vehicles crashed into opposite fields.
Maloon’s SUV overturned multiple times, ejecting him from the vehicle.
He was found unconscious and unresponsive at the scene and was later declared deceased due to injuries sustained in the crash.
Meanwhile, Ward, who suffered multiple gunshot wounds, was treated at the scene and airlifted to Miami Valley Hospital via CareFlight.
His current condition remains unknown.
Investigators recovered a handgun near Maloon at the crash scene, which is believed to be the weapon used in both the murder of Juanita Maloon and the attempted murder of Randy Ward.
Further forensic analysis will be conducted to confirm this finding.
Additionally, spent shell casings and a white powdery substance in packaging were discovered in the driveway of 2535 State Route 571, where the initial shooting occurred.
These items will be forensically examined to determine their nature and relevance to the case.
The Darke County Sheriff’s Office and multiple other law enforcement agencies responded to two separate but connected crime scenes:
9600 block of Coletown-Lightsville Road – Location of the vehicle pursuit and crash where Maloon was ejected and found deceased.
2500 block of State Route 571 – Maloon residence, where deputies discovered the body of Juanita Maloon.
A heavy police presence was reported at both locations, with at least a dozen police cruisers and emergency personnel on scene.
The initial 911 call was made around 2:30 p.m. by Randy Ward, who reported being chased and shot multiple times.
He informed dispatchers that his friend had opened fire on him at the residence and was actively pursuing him while continuing to shoot and ram his vehicle.
Sheriff Mark Whittaker stated that, based on the evidence and ongoing investigation, Joe Maloon was the primary threat and no additional suspects are being sought.
Authorities have assured the public that there is no further danger to the community.
The case remains under active investigation, and further details will be released as they become available.
Crime
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.