Three people, including two juveniles, have been charged in the death of a 19-year-old found on the side of a Clermont County road last month, after investigators determined the case was a homicide, not a hit-and-run. Clermont County Prosecutor Mark Tekulve announced the charges Monday. It comes after an investigation into what was originally reported as hit-and-run but after further investigation, was found to be a homicide. 19-year-old Jayden Nelson was found dead on the side of Bethel New Richmond Road early on March 8. It was originally investigated as a possible hit-and-run. However the Ohio State Highway Patrol, along with the Clermont County Coroner’s Office, noticed some irregularities that did not align with a hit and run. An autopsy confirmed Nelson had died from a gunshot to the head from close range with the bullet lodged in his brain. Investigators were able to piece together a crime they say “had no eyewitnesses other than those involved in the offense.” As a result of the investigation, officers were able to locate and arrest two male juveniles, ages 16 and 17, and one adult male, 19-year-old Dakarai Campbell. According to police, the three traveled to New Richmond that morning with “thousands of dollars’ worth of marijuana, under the guise of selling it to Nelson.” However, police allege that instead of selling it to him, the three are accused of robbed Nelson of more than three thousand dollars and his cellphone and leaving him dead on the side of the road. Tekulve says the investigation not only uncovered what led to Nelson’s murder, but also uncovered a “wide-ranging drug operation with cross-county ties involving several other individuals”. “This case is once again a terrible reminder of the danger of trafficking in any type of controlled substance. Too often, the youth of our counties get caught up in a world of drugs and violence and face few repercussions. In Clermont County, we do not tolerate this type of behavior and those involved in these types of actions will be brought to justice and will face severe penalties. Our citizens deserve to feel safe in this county and my Office is committed to holding those accountable who would disturb that peace.” Nelson’s roommate, Joshua Lavoy, also 19, was also arrested and is accused of tampering with evidence and withholding it from investigators. According to court documents, investigators said Lavoy discarded evidence, his phone, deleted social media and made false statements to police about others believed to be tied to the investigation.
CLERMONT COUNTY, Ohio —
