By David Lohr

(Continued)

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It is not yet clear why the obituary states Stanley died at the hospital, when all other reports state she died in her parents' home.

There was no mention in the paper or in the news that Erin's death was suspicious; however, shortly after her death, rumors began to circulate around the Internet suggesting Erin had been murdered. In addition, at least one neighbor reported that Erin's bedroom window had been boarded up, a claim authorities have yet to dispute. In fact, from the very start, investigators were tight-lipped and nary a word was said suggesting that a murder may have taken place.

Erin Stanley

On an Internet message board maintained by the Palladium-Item, a user identifying himself as Jason Truitt, the online editor, recently explained why his paper did not cover Erin's death.

"When we received the obituary from the funeral home for the sister who died first, it struck the person who received the fax as curious," Jason wrote. "A phone call was made, and we were not given any indication that the death was of a 'suspicious' nature ... For us to report it, it must come straight from the main source, the Centerville Police Department, and they weren't talking. All of our questions were being diverted to Wayne County Prosecutor Mike Shipman. He refused comment..."

So while some members of the media found news of Erin's death suspicious, it went widely unreported. But once again, everything was about to change.

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Contact David Lohr  at           crimewriter74@adelphia.net

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