Family seeks justice for woman found slain in her home in ’02

Staff Report

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Jane Kleese

NILES — The family of Jane E. Kleese, who was found dead at the bottom of the basement stairs of her Cynthia Street home in 2002, is not giving up on trying to bring to justice the person who killed her.

“We’re just desperate to find something out,” said Cheryl Boor of Hubbard, Jane Kleese’s sister.

Cheryl and her three living siblings have paid for advertisements that have appeared in the parking lot of the Eastwood Mall near the Expo Center the last three years asking for help in solving the crime, but there’s been no break in the case.

The family is offering a $10,000 reward for information that will lead to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible.

“We are certain that there are people other than the killer who possess information that they haven’t yet come forward with,” said Thomas F. Woodward of Youngstown, Jane Kleese’s brother.

“Jane is sadly missed by all her family members,” Woodward said. “Her mother is in a nursing home at the present time and desperately desires closure. Eight years has been a long time, but we are united in our resolve to do whatever it takes, however long it takes, to secure justice for Jane.”

Dr. Humphrey Germaniuk, Trumbull County coroner, ruled that Kleese, a wife and 35-year-old mother of two, died as a result of asphyxia and called her death a homicide. Asphyxia means she died from lack of oxygen. The corner said she had also been assaulted but would not be more specific.

The woman was last seen alive while dropping off a child at school at 8 a.m. and was found by her children, age 12 and 16, when they returned home in the afternoon Jan. 23, 2002.

There was no forced entry into the home and nothing was reported taken, police said.

At first, police didn’t know whether the woman’s death might have been an accident because she had multiple sclerosis and was taking several medications.

Only after lab results were received did Dr. Germaniuk rule her death a homicide.

Anyone with information should call Chuck Morrow, assistant Trumbull County prosecutor, at (330) 675-2426.