Lancaster, OH – August 10, 2025, 12:28 PM EDT
Following an intensive investigation, the Lancaster Police Department has made significant progress in a case involving the discovery of a deceased male. On August 9, 2025, at 11:52 PM, authorities announced the arrest of two individuals linked to the incident.
John T. Scott, 44, of Laurelville, Ohio, has been charged with Murder (UC), while Holly L. McDaniel, 45, of Columbus, Ohio, faces charges of Abuse of a Corpse (F-5). The arrests are tied to the discovery of the unidentified male’s body in a wooded area near the 700 block of South Maple Street. All charges remain pending until presented to the Fairfield County Grand Jury.
The investigation began on August 9 when Lancaster Police were dispatched to the 700 block of South Maple Street for a well-being check. During the response, officers located the body of an unknown individual in a nearby wooded area. The case has since escalated, prompting a joint investigation involving the Fairfield County Coroner’s Office, the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation, and the Lancaster Police Department’s Detective Bureau.
The identity of the victim will be withheld until positive identification and examination are completed, with further details to be released at a later time. Authorities have urged the public to avoid the area to allow investigators to conduct their work unimpeded.
Updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
