Murderer Found Dead

"VERMILION TOWNSHIP, OH — The man wanted for the murder of his former girlfriend was found dead at a Vermilion Township resort this afternoon.

"The body of David L. `Jody` Kromer, of Margaretta Township, was found by Erie County sheriff’s deputies. Kromer was wanted for the kidnapping and murder of Carla Westhofen, 58, of Huron Township.

"It appeared Kromer died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. He was found at the Firefly Beach Resort, 4913 Cleveland Road East, according to the sheriff’s office.It appeared Kromer checked into the cabins on Sunday night and died sometime before today.

"A resort employee called deputies about 12:40 p.m. to report a strong smell of natural gas. When deputies arrived, they spotted the black Ford Taurus that Kromer was believed to be driving.

"Deputies approached the cottage and broke out several windows to ventilate the gas. Kromer was found dead inside. It appeared Kromer had left the gas running in a stove at the cottage.

"`I’m pretty satisfied with that ending to it,` said Westhofen’s son, Todd Dahnke, 40, of rural Sandusky County. `We had fears he would come back to the area and he did.

"`Instead of causing more harm to other people, I’m glad he did it to himself,` Dahnke said. `It sounds morbid to say, but this is probably the best news we’ve had in a week.`"

From The Lorain Journal...