Man Charged In Connection to Blue Ash Homicide
March 2, 2017 – A Silverton man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of a woman Wednesday evening on Classic Drive in Blue Ash. Police arrested 56-year-old Joseph Smith and charged him with one count of murder.
Around 8 p.m. Wednesday, March 1st, Blue Ash police responded to Classic Drive after Smith called 911 and claimed he killed his girlfriend inside the residence. When officers arrived at the scene, Smith refused to come outside and made suicidal threats over the phone. The Hamilton County Police Association SWAT team responded to the scene and after approximately one hour, Smith was arrested without incident.
When officers entered the home, they discovered a woman’s body. The woman has been identified as 63-year-old Diana R. Yuellig. A handgun believed to have been used in the crime was also recovered at the home. The Hamilton County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigation Section was called to assist with the investigation.
“Investigators have determined that the suspect and the victim knew one another and this was not a random act of violence,” said Blue Ash Police Chief Paul Hartinger. “Our officers work tirelessly to ensure that the City of Blue Ash continues to be an extremely safe community, and unfortunately a tragedy of this magnitude can raise concerns for our citizens.” he said. “This act and the recent death of another victim at the hands of her boyfriend are rare and do not reflect the safe neighborhoods of Blue Ash.”
A motive for this most recent shooting has not been established. Joseph Smith is currently being held in the Hamilton County Jail. The investigation is ongoing.
