Woman Hiding in Closet Whispered to 911 After Watching Her Aunt Get Shot — Police Found Suspect Sitting Beside Victim’s Body

A terrifying domestic violence incident in Ohio ended in tragedy after a 70-year-old woman was fatally shot inside her home, while her niece hid in an upstairs closet and desperately called 911 for help. When deputies arrived, they found the suspected gunman sitting in the kitchen beside the victim’s body.

The victim, Lorene Denton, was found dead inside her home in Nimishillen Township, near Louisville, Ohio, shortly after 3 a.m. on Wednesday, November 11, according to the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.

Her husband, 64-year-old Jeffrey Denton, was identified as the suspect. Authorities said he died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound as deputies entered the residence.

The frightening events were captured in two separate emergency calls, including a 12-minute call made by Lorene’s niece, who was hiding inside an upstairs closet.

Earlier that morning, Lorene had contacted 911 herself. According to reports, she told the dispatcher that her husband was physically attacking both her and her niece. She also warned that there were guns downstairs.

During the call, Lorene reportedly told the dispatcher that Jeffrey had gone down to the basement. Shortly afterward, screams could be heard, and the phone appeared to fall or become disconnected.

Her niece then called 911, whispering because she was afraid the suspect might hear her.

“I’m hiding in my closet,” she reportedly told the dispatcher.

In the recording obtained by Cleveland 19, the frightened woman described what had happened and asked emergency responders to reach the house as quickly as possible. She told the dispatcher that she and her aunt had tried to escape before the shooting.

According to reporting by News 5 Cleveland, the niece said she heard at least three gunshots and saw her aunt get shot in the leg. She remained hidden while waiting for deputies to arrive.

When officers entered the home, they discovered Lorene lying on the kitchen floor. Jeffrey was seated nearby, according to the sheriff’s office.

As deputies entered the residence, Jeffrey shot himself in the head. Emergency personnel transported him to Cleveland Clinic Mercy Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Lorene was pronounced dead at the scene.

The niece was eventually located safely in the upstairs closet. She had remained on the phone with the dispatcher while officers responded. After deputies told her it was safe to come out, she could be heard expressing her relief and gratitude.

“Thank you for saving me,” she reportedly said.

The surviving woman was also taken to a hospital for evaluation. Authorities said she sustained non-life-threatening injuries.

Neighbors were left shocked by the deadly incident. Some described the couple as familiar faces in the neighborhood and said they had never expected something so devastating to happen inside the home.

One neighbor recalled seeing Jeffrey working outside and helping people with lawn mowers. Others said the couple appeared to go about their everyday lives without anything that suggested the tragedy that would unfold.

Lorene had also shared family photographs on social media, including pictures with Jeffrey, their children and grandchildren. A Facebook post from September showed the couple celebrating their anniversary.

Investigators have not publicly announced a motive for the shooting. The incident remains under investigation by the Stark County Sheriff’s Office.

For the niece who survived, the morning became a nightmare that unfolded in a matter of minutes. Her decision to hide and stay on the phone with emergency dispatchers helped officers locate her and bring her to safety.

But the call for help could not save Lorene. Her death has left relatives and neighbors mourning a woman whose final moments were marked by a desperate attempt to protect herself and her niece.