Canton Woman’s Body Found In Ex’s Basement in Columbus
The disappearance and subsequent death of Chara Medlock, a 32-year-old Canton woman, has left her family devastated and searching for answers in a case that has captured public attention. Medlock was last seen on December 3, when she mentioned plans to stay with her ex-boyfriend, Darrell Carter, in Massillon—a decision her mother strongly opposed. Concerns for her safety grew when communication from her abruptly ceased on December 15, leading her family to report her missing to Canton police on December 17.
Adding to the family’s distress were the strange messages they began receiving from Chara’s phone and Facebook account after her disappearance. Initially, the family received sporadic messages that appeared to come from Chara, but the content and tone were inconsistent with her usual communication style. One particularly alarming message asked for her mother’s address—a detail that Chara would have readily known. As time went on, it became increasingly clear that these messages were suspicious, leading the family to suspect that someone else was using her accounts to mislead them about her whereabouts. This unsettling realization heightened their concern for Chara’s safety and fueled their determination to find out what truly happened to her.
Chara’s family embarked on an urgent search, utilizing social media and community networks to spread the word about her disappearance. “She’s not even checking on her 14-year-old son. Christmas passed. New Year’s passed. We knew something was wrong,” lamented Shannon Jones, the wife of Chara’s uncle. The family remained hopeful, believing that she would eventually return home.
However, on December 21, the family’s worst fears were confirmed. A detective from the Canton police department visited Chara’s mother, Makisha Medlock, with tragic news: a decomposed body had been found in the basement of a home in Columbus where Carter was staying. The Franklin County Coroner’s Office later confirmed the identity of the body as Chara Medlock, identified through a surgery scar and fingerprints.
This sudden turn of events has left many questions unanswered. Columbus police have charged Carter with felony abuse of a corpse, but the exact cause of Chara’s death remains unknown. A detective informed Chara’s family that her body showed no signs of trauma or strangulation, making homicide charges difficult to pursue at this time. Toxicology tests could take weeks to yield results, leaving the family in a state of uncertainty.
Darrell Carter, Chara Medlock’s ex-boyfriend, has a troubling legal history that complicates the investigation into her death. Carter was already wanted on outstanding warrants from Stark County for two counts of felonious assault related to a shooting incident, along with charges for failing to report to his probation officer stemming from prior convictions. He was arraigned in Columbus Municipal Court, where a judge set his bond at an unusually high $500,085 for the felony abuse of a corpse charge. Despite this charge being the only one filed against him so far, the family believes that there may be more to the story, especially considering Carter’s violent past and the circumstances surrounding Chara’s disappearance.
Ta’Shanti Medlock, Chara’s sister, expressed her skepticism about the circumstances surrounding her sister’s death. “While Chara did use ecstasy, she was careful and would not have overdosed,” she asserted. The family is troubled by the lack of urgency in the investigation, with many believing that the police should have acted more quickly given the situation.
In response to the family’s concerns, Canton Police Chief John Gabbard acknowledged the challenges of investigating missing adults but insisted that the department took the family’s concerns seriously. “We assigned our most experienced detective and shared information with multiple agencies to expand our search,” Gabbard stated, extending his condolences to the family.
As the investigation continues, Chara’s family is focused on seeking justice for her untimely death. Jones has initiated an online petition calling for a thorough investigation, expressing doubts about the involvement of others connected to Carter and the adequacy of the police response. “If he only gets the abuse of a corpse charge, that’s not fair. Something else is going on,” she stated.
Chara Medlock’s tragic story is compounded by the fact that her 14-year-old son is now left without his mother. Family members recall her as a loving and devoted parent who cherished her children and was always there for her family. Ta’Shanti described her sister as “a social butterfly” who loved spending time with her nieces, nephews, and son.
Darrell Carter, who has a history of domestic violence charges, was already wanted by Stark County authorities for unrelated offenses when Chara disappeared. Reports indicate that he told police he found Chara dead in his basement on December 9 but failed to report her death out of fear of his own legal troubles.
As the family awaits the results of the ongoing investigation and toxicology tests, they are left grappling with their loss and the painful uncertainty surrounding Chara’s death. The community has rallied around them, but the lingering questions only add to their heartache. Chara’s story is a somber reminder of the complexities and dangers that can arise in relationships, and the urgent need for justice in cases of domestic violence and unexplained deaths.
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