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Police reveal identity of Dollar Tree murder victim

Published

Monday, January 2, 2023

Upper Sandusky, Ohio — Police have released the identity of the New Year’s Day murder victim in Upper Sandusky.

The Upper Sandusky Police Department was called to Dollar Tree, 1120 E Wyandot Ave., for a report of a man waving a machete inside the store at approximately 4:25 p.m. Sunday.

When officers arrived, they found a female employee, identified as 22-year-old Keris L. Riebel, deceased.

The suspect had already left the store, but was later located in the 100 block of South Fifth Street and taken into custody, according to a press release from Upper Sandusky PD.

According to the Wyandot County Jail inmate roster, 27-year-old Bethel Manale Bekele was booked into the facility at approximately 9:34 p.m. Sunday. Bekele has been charged with murder and is being held with no bond.

27-year-old Bethel Manale Bekele

While investigating the incident, it was learned Bekele entered the store with the machete, approached Riebel, and struck her numerous times with the machete.

A motive for the murder and any potential relationship between Bekele and Riebel is currently under investigation.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation is currently processing the crime scene and the Wyandot County Major Crimes Unit is investigating the incident.

Other agencies assisting in the investigation include the Wyandot County Sheriff’s Office, Wyandot County EMS, Upper Sandusky Fire Department, Wyandot County Coroner’s Office, Wyandot County Prosecutor’s Office, and Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation.

No further information is available at this time. This is a developing story and we will provide updates as they become available.