SHAWN MICHAEL GRATE | The Ohio Strangler | Serial Killer, Rapist And Kidnapper On Death Row For Killing Five Woman During 2006-2016 | “They were already dead …” | Autographed Letter Signed

Shawn Grate. Autographed Letter, Signed. Handwritten, Commercial #10 (4.125 × 9.5 envelope). Columbus, OH. December 5, 2024. Content unknown. SEALED.

Shawn Michael Grate

Background and Early Life

Shawn Michael Grate was born on August 8, 1976, in Marion, Ohio. His early life was described as relatively normal, with typical childhood activities such as playing sports and socializing with peers. However, his childhood was marred by significant family issues, including the divorce of his parents when he was just six years old and the subsequent abandonment by his mother when he was eleven. These events contributed to a troubled upbringing characterized by emotional detachment and neglect.

Grate struggled academically during his early schooling, being held back in both kindergarten and first grade. Despite these challenges, he exhibited charm and sociability among his peers. His teenage years were marked by further difficulties; he experienced a serious injury that ended his baseball career and began to exhibit troubling behaviors, including violent tendencies towards women.

Criminal Activities

Grate’s criminal history began with a felony burglary charge in 1997 after breaking into a home to steal valuables. This initial offense set the stage for more severe criminal behavior in the following years. Between 2006 and 2016, Grate committed multiple murders of young women in northern Ohio. He was ultimately convicted of five murders: Stacey Stanley, Elizabeth Griffith, Candice Cunningham, Rebekah Leicy, and Dana Nicole Lowrey.

His arrest on September 13, 2016, followed a distress call from a woman who reported being kidnapped by him. This survivor managed to escape while Grate was asleep and contacted authorities while still in his residence. Her testimony played a crucial role in the investigation that led to Grate’s conviction.

Trials and Sentencing

Grate faced numerous charges stemming from his crimes, including aggravated murder and kidnapping. Initially pleading not guilty by reason of insanity, he later confessed to the murders during police interrogations and media interviews. The prosecution sought the death penalty due to the heinous nature of his crimes.

On May 7, 2018, Grate was convicted on two counts of aggravated murder in Ashland County. He subsequently pleaded guilty to additional murders in Richland County on March 1, 2019, and Marion County on September 11, 2019. Ultimately sentenced to death for his actions, Grate is scheduled for execution in 2025.

Current Status

As of February 2025, Shawn Grate remains on death row following his convictions for multiple murders and sexual assaults against vulnerable women. His case has drawn significant media attention due to its brutal nature and the circumstances surrounding his capture.

The information provided outlines the trajectory of Shawn M. Grate’s life from an ostensibly normal childhood through a series of increasingly violent criminal acts leading to his eventual capture and sentencing.

VIDEO: The Disturbing Case of the House of Horrors Killer | Documentary | https://youtu.be/ymcNhAgO7Pw

Archiving Protocol:

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• White Backing Board – Acid Free

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