Police found the bodies of Larry Tipton and Rebecca Eldemire Sunday morning in Eldemire's apartment. That apartment is near the campus of Miami University in Oxford where Eldemire, who grew up in New Albany, was a student. Oxford Police say Tipton shot his ex-girlfriend Eldemire to death before taking his own life.
Police say Eldermire called for help on Saturday night. In that call she tells a dispatcher that she had broken up with Tipton earlier that day.
She describes being nervous that he was driving from Columbus to see her. "I'm having a bit of issues with my boyfriend,” Eldemire told a dispatcher Saturday night. “He's coming in from out of town and wants to talk to me. And he obviously knows where I live and I'm just a little nervous about the situation. I broke up with him today."
Eldemire told a dispatcher that Tipton did not threaten her, but did become angry when she spoke with him in Columbus earlier that day.
Dispatcher: “Do you know does he have any weapons or anything?”
Eldemire: “He does own guns.”
Dispatcher: “He does own guns?”
Eldemire: “Yeah, but I don't think he would bring any with him. “
Police responded to Eldemire's call, but they say she told them it was ok for them to leave.
"At the request of Miss Eldemire, Mr. Tipton was escorted up to her apartment where they had a conversation with officers present. After a brief conversation, Miss Eldemire told officers they could leave as they were no longer needed," said Oxford Police Sgt. Jon Varley.
A search warrant obtained by 10TV reveals more about Tipton's guns. The document says "a revolver with a capacity of seven rounds was found next to Tipton. The revolver had five casings and the two remaining rounds unfired."
When detectives searched Tipton's Blacklick-area apartment, they removed a suicide note along with an empty gun case among other items.
Police say Tipton shot Eldemire before shooting himself. Those shots were likely heard by Eldemire's friends in the apartment building. They called 911. "About 10 minutes ago we heard a bunch of really loud noises from the room and then an alarm went off in the apartment and now they aren't responding from the bedroom,” Eldemire’s friend told a dispatcher. “So could you send someone please?"
Eldemire’s family has scheduled funeral services for Wednesday, Feb. 4, with visitation at 10 a.m. and funeral at 11 a.m. at Weil Funeral Home, 8350 Cornell Road, Cincinnati, 45249. Interment will be immediately after the funeral at United Jewish Cemetery, 7885 Ivygate Lane, Montgomery.
