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Residents press Parma leaders to release cold‑case files; officials say medical examiner and police reviewed cases
Summary
Multiple speakers at public session urged Parma leaders to transfer or reopen suspicious death investigations; commenters alleged altered scenes and missing evidence. Safety Director Corey and law officials said the medical examiner and Parma Police previously examined the matters and that no evidentiary basis was provided at the meeting to reopen cases, while expressing sympathy.
Several residents used Parma’s public comment period on Feb. 17 to press the council and police for action on death investigations they say were mishandled or deserve re‑examination.
Ed Pasella asked council to advise Parma police to release his daughter’s file to another agency, saying a forensic review found the scene had been altered and that the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and the County Sheriff had signaled willingness to take the case: "The Parma Police needs to release this case. BCI wants it. The County Sheriff's department wants it. Why won't Parma release it?" he asked.
Karen Cassella described her daughter Dawn’s 2012 death as suspicious and told council photos showed an unusually warm apartment thermostat setting and other indicators she said warranted external review. "Her body was in total lividity... her thermostat was turned up past 80," Cassella said, and she asked council to pressure the police to transfer the investigation.
Safety Director Corey responded on behalf of the administration, expressing sympathy but saying the medical examiner and Parma Police thoroughly examined the cases at the time. "Any department that has jurisdiction can reopen this investigation," Corey said, "The reason why they have not, is because there's no basis in doing so." He asked petitioners to present specific new evidence to justify reopening a file.
Council took no formal vote; officials said they would ensure council and administration receive the submitted materials and that the clerk would distribute them to members. The exchange underscored community frustration with how some historical investigations were handled and the limitations of local authority absent new evidence.
