In a chilling case that has shocked Ohio, Deborah “Debbie” Lynn Frazier, 36, has pleaded guilty to a series of crimes, including murder, tampering with evidence, and gross abuse of a corpse.
The case revolves around the tragic murder of Thomas Waddell, with Frazier orchestrating a complex scheme to cover up her heinous act.
Waddell, described as “significantly older” and known for his charitable nature, was involved in an on-and-off relationship with Frazier for years.
Their peaceful coexistence in a home on Sandhurst Drive in Zanesville abruptly ended when Frazier executed her sinister plan on August 9, 2023.
According to prosecutors, Frazier fatally shot Waddell in the back of the head with a .22 revolver while he sat in his recliner.
She then meticulously wrapped his body in trash bags, duct tape, and a comforter, attempting to conceal her gruesome crime.
In a bid to divert attention from her actions, Frazier staged a fake robbery and shooting. She called 911 to report a burglary, claiming that masked intruders had attacked her and Waddell.
However, investigators quickly unraveled the truth behind her elaborate facade.
Upon arriving at the scene, law enforcement found Frazier with a gunshot wound to her leg, seemingly corroborating her story of a violent struggle. However, inconsistencies soon emerged, casting doubt on her account.
“Waddell’s apartment was well-kept and orderly, contradicting Frazier’s claims of a ransacking,” prosecutors stated. Moreover, surveillance footage and witness testimonies failed to corroborate Frazier’s narrative of masked assailants fleeing the scene.
Further investigation uncovered a trail of damning evidence against Frazier. Suspicious Google searches on loading guns, ammunition types, and gunshot residue lingered on her phone, dating back to days before the murder.
Additionally, Frazier’s manipulation extended to her other boyfriend, John Anderson, whom she coerced into playing a role in her deceitful scheme.
Frazier’s guilty plea signifies an acknowledgment of her heinous crimes, with prosecutors emphasizing the severity of her actions.
“Frazier deserves and will serve a life sentence for her crime,” Assistant Prosecuting Attorney John Litle affirmed.
As the legal proceedings continue, Frazier’s case serves as a grim reminder of the lengths individuals may go to conceal their misdeeds and evade justice.
While her guilty plea provides closure for the victim’s loved ones, it also proves the importance of thorough investigation and unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth in cases of such magnitude.
How the law is dealing with her
Frazier pleaded guilty to the charge of murder with a firearm specification, indicating her responsibility for the killing of Thomas Waddell using a firearm, specifically a .22 revolver.
Frazier is accused of attempting to cover up the murder by tampering with evidence, such as wrapping Waddell’s body in trash bags, duct tape, and a comforter, a crime that is encapsulated in the charge of tampering with evidence.
The charge of gross abuse of a corpse slapped on Frazier suggests that her actions after the murder constituted a gross violation of respect for the deceased, likely related to the way she attempted to conceal the body.
These charges collectively reflect the severity of Frazier’s actions and the legal consequences she faces for her role in the crime.
