One week ago, Tom and Angela Strussion were killed inside their Trails End Road home, and now Belmont County Sheriff Dave Lucas believes the evidence currently reveals the killings were isolated incidents.
The couple was discovered deceased after a fire was reported by a neighbor before 7 a.m. on Sept. 21. The blaze, according to Belmont County officials, only damaged an area on the second floor, but Lucas would not confirm what purpose the room served the couple.
“We have no information or indication that anyone is in danger because of this tragic event,” the Belmont County sheriff said. “With that said, I don’t know if something else could happen in the future because we really never know day-to-day. But as far as what we know now, everything we have discovered was targeted on them and nobody else.
“We feel this is an isolated incident,” he continued. “As far as releasing the details of the case, that will be way down the road. I talk all the time with our chief investigator, Ryan Allar, and we coordinate what gets released so there is no damage to the process that needs to take place.”
Sunday Arrests
Media outlets in the Upper Ohio Valley reported Monday that two arrests were made on Sunday involving an undefined extortion attempt. Anthony Michael Dibacco and Miana Maylyn Smith were apprehended at a residence on Gurnsey Street in Bellaire and are lodged in the Belmont County Jail.
Lucas said the two suspects could face additional charges once the prosecutor of Belmont County reviews the collected evidence. The sheriff said his detectives have discovered a link between the suspects and Tom Strussion.
“Through the investigation in this double homicide, our detectives uncovered the connection to one of the victims after they investigated it,” Lucas explained. “That is why these two arrests have taken place, but if some of the details were released right now, I feel it would jeopardize the case.
“I know everyone in the valley wants to know why these homicides took place, but there is no way right now we can answer all of the questions media members are asking right now,” he explained. “As soon as the information can be released, we will contact all of the media, but not until then.”
