SIDNEY — On the 10th anniversary of the stabbing death of Melinda (Shaffer) McKinney, police are still seeking information to solve Sidney’s only unsolved murder.
“It never leaves my mind. I make a pointed effort to review the case file,” said Capt. Jerry Tangeman, lead investigator on the case. “We are always hopeful that the case is solveable.”
On Saturday morning, June 17, 2006, Sidney Police and paramedics responded to 901 N. Main Ave. after McKinney’s son, Matthew Shaffer, found her body and called 911. According to the autopsy report, she was stabbed more than 100 times on her neck, abdomen, face, back, head, upper extremities and thigh, and died within minutes of the onset of the attack. According to the 911 transcript of the call to police from Matthew Shaffer, he said there was a large amount of blood around her and a cut on her neck.
There were no drugs other than caffeine present in the victim’s body, according to toxicology reports.
McKinney, whose maiden name was Dickerson, was originally from Troy and was the mother of three adult children. She had been married to Michael Shaffer, of Sidney, and later to Charles McKinney, of Michigan.
McKinney was an assistant manager at Perkins Restaurant in Sidney. She was well-liked at her job and known to be a giving person.
McKinney’s ex-husband has been ruled out as a suspect. Police have said they were able to account for his presence at the time of the killing.
The case, said Tangeman, is No. 1 on his task list.
Tangeman said every year there is a new kind of test and new technology which were not available 10 years ago. He said the police department has resubmitted information to the lab for review.
There are “people of interest, some are stronger than others,” said Tangeman, however, as of yet they still do not have the “final piece” to be able to charge anyone.
“I wholeheartedly believe that there is an individual, or individuals, that have information or know of some information that could bring closure. It would be nice (to bring) closure and resolution to the McKinney and Shaffer families. A lot of time, it is fear that prevents those from coming forward,” Tangeman said.
Because the crime was committed in the early hours of the morning, there was not a witness who overheard the stabbing. A weapon has not been found, and the motive is still unclear.
Tangeman said because of the brutality of the crime, it could be looked at in two directions.
“Passion seems obvious” implying someone close to the victim is to blame, “but not always, because it could be someone not new to the system,” he said.
The police are interested in any type of information from the public, even a rumor. Tangeman said even the smallest bit of information could lead them in the direction of closure. He said their department is experienced in dealing with several homicides and all types of crimes, calling it the “dark side” of their work.
“The public help is key to helping us solve this case. People think they don’t want to bother the police, but no matter how small or off the wall something might seem, or what someone might have heard is, like a rumor, just give us a call,” Tangeman said. “I am certain there are persons in the community that have information that can bring this case to a resolution.”
A reward is being offered to the individual who provides information which leads to the conviction of the person responsible for the homicide. Tangeman encourages anyone, “no matter how small or insignificant they feel the information might be,” to reach out to the police department investigators.
If anyone has any information about the murder, they should call 937-498-2351 or Crime Stoppers at 937-492-8477.
