Saturday, June 28, 2008
STAFF REPORT
VERNON — A 26-year-old Burghill man is in the Trumbull County jail on a $2 million bond, charged in the Friday morning death of his girlfriend.
Nathan Riggs, of state Route 7, is charged with aggravated murder in the death of Tricia W. Wade, 31, of 4918 Bushnell-Campbell Road, in the township. He was arraigned before Judge Peter Kontos in Trumbull County Common Pleas Court, who set the bond.
In court, he was defended by Atty. Anthony Consoldane of the Ohio Public Defenders’ Office.
Wade was found bludgeoned to death in the garage of her mobile home, Sheriff Thomas Altiere said. He said Riggs and Wade had been living together.
The sheriff said the investigation thus far shows that Riggs killed Wade. Riggs then called his mother, who in turn called 911 about 4 a.m., the sheriff added.
Riggs could be heard on the 911 recording saying he killed Wade, and the sheriff said Riggs confessed the crime. A deputy responded within minutes of the 911 call because he was patrolling the area, the sheriff said.
Wade’s body was found on a couch in the garage, a small living area that contained a couch and table. She had suffered trauma to the head, and a hammer was found in the garage, the sheriff said.
A motive for the death has not been established, Altiere said.