911 Call: Catching a Serial Killer

WILDCIDE

On September 13, 2016, at 6:47am, Ohio's Ashland Police received a 911 call from a woman identified only as Jane Doe who whispered that she’d been kidnapped and was tied up mere feet away from her sleeping abductor. She tried to describe the man who was holding her captive and the house she was in but the best she could manage was that it was next to the Fourth Street laundromat. She spoke as quietly as she could to avoid waking her abductor: Shawn Grate. Little did Jane Doe know, Shawn Grate was a serial killer, and she was close to becoming his 6th victim. Grate's killing spree spanned several years, during which he tortured, raped, and murdered multiple women. His depravity went undetected until Jane Doe’s 911 call, leading to his capture. Investigators uncovered a gruesome trail of death, revealing a man who preyed on the weak and reveled in control over his victims. Described as a "charming monster," Grate’s actions shocked the nation, as the depth of his cruelty and sadistic tendencies became clear. Hang out with us as we explore how a 911 call caught a serial killer and discuss the amazing people who are the voices behind 911. Tune in on Friday 9/13 where Chelsea and Bailey interview a real-life miracle worker, Lindzee, a 911 operator. Learn what it is like on the other side of a 911 call.

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​​Art for the podcast was created by Kelly Steen. Editing/Production for the podcast by Bltzwolff ([e-mail]).

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References:

Caudill, M. (2018, April 26). Witness: Shawn Grate assaulted me “in every way imaginable.” Mansfield News Journal. https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2018/04/26/woman-whose-911-call-led-shawn-grates-arrest-tells-story-court/553900002/

Cleveland 19 Digital Team. (2016, October 10). Q&A from jail: Shawn Grate says his victims didn’t want to live. https://www.cleveland19.com. https://www.cleveland19.com/story/33343964/suspected-serial-killer-shawn-grate-grants-interview-from-ashland-county-jail/

Day, C., & Whitmire, L. (2016, September 14). Human remains of 3 found in Ashland, Richland counties. The Enquirer. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/crime/2016/09/13/press-conference-set-ashland-incident/90310000/

Dziemianowicz, J. (2024, July 18). “boom. put her to sleep”: Ohio serial killer describes how he murdered vulnerable women. Oxygen Official Site. https://www.oxygen.com/crime-news/ohio-serial-killer-shawn-grates-sister-speak-out

Jones, B. (2017, January 4). Autopsy report reveals two of Shawn Grate’s alleged victims were strangled. News 5 Cleveland WEWS. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/local-news/oh-ashland/autopsy-report-reveals-two-of-shawn-grates-alleged-victims-were-strangled-to-death

Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction. (2022, February 7). Shawn M Grate. Offender details. https://appgateway.drc.ohio.gov/OffenderSearch/Search/Details/A751645

Samuelson, K. (2016, September 20). Shawn grate is “obviously a serial killer,” sheriff says. Time. https://time.com/4501103/shawn-grate-murder-kidnapping-obviously-serial-killer/

Sharma, A. (2024, May 9). Shawn grate: How did the convicted serial killer’s survivor escape? Yahoo! News. https://www.yahoo.com/news/shawn-grate-did-convicted-serial-122903304.html

Summers, C. (2016, September 15). “I’ve been abducted, please hurry”: Kidnapped woman makes desperate 911 call to police - who discover that the man who captured her also killed three people and hid their bodies . Daily Mail Online. https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3789019/Kidnapped-woman-makes-desperate-911-call-police-discover-Shawn-Grate-captured-killed-three-people-including-Stacey-Stanley-hid-bodies.html

Tinning, D. (2023, September 20). This serial killer was caught when one would-be victim called 911 - while he was sleeping beside her. All That’s Interesting. https://allthatsinteresting.com/shawn-grate

Whitmire, L. (2016, September 20). Grate provides Mansfield police with tips in Leicy Case. Mansfield News Journal. https://www.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2016/09/19/mansfield-police-searching-evidence-leicy-investigation/90715336/

https://eu.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/crime/2018/04/09/today-trial-suspected-serial-killer-shawn-grate/460479002/

https://eu.mansfieldnewsjournal.com/story/news/2018/06/01/shawn-grate-sentenced-death-2016-murders/645107002/

Shawn Grate (wcbe.org)