Investigators ID remains in 28-year-old cold case
NEW PHILADELPHIA – A decades-old case in Tuscarawas County has been solved thanks to new DNA technology.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office says investigators have identified dismembered human remains that were found in 1998 in two suitcases in Dover and Jefferson Townships.
Using advanced DNA testing, they have determined the remains belong to Lawrence A. Drotleff, who would have been 93 at the time the suitcases were found.
Authorities say his son, Larry J. Drotleff of Euclid admitted he cut up his father’s body and disposed of the remains then continued collecting his father’s retirement and social security funds. They say the younger Drotleff told investigators he did not kill his father but came home from work one day and found his father deceased.
While the statute of limitations has passed on abuse of a corpse charge, federal prosecutors have filed charges alleging he stole more than $246,000 in Social Security and pension funds. The case is pending in federal court.
Listen to the WJER morning show on Friday April 24 for more details from Sheriff Orvis Campbell.