Ohio State Highway Patrol
Media Release

 

General Headquarters — Columbus, Ohio

 


For Immediate Release: July 31, 2005
Contact: Lt. Tony Bradshaw (614) 752-2792

 

Victim’s wallet discovered in connection to Ohio Turnpike murder investigation

COLUMBUS – Ohio State Highway Patrol investigators of the May 13 robbery/homicide on the Ohio Turnpike of Dr. Gulam Moonda are revealing that the wallet that belonged to Dr. Moonda has been found along with other related items. Due to the ongoing nature of the investigation, detailed items recovered by investigators will not be disclosed at this time.

Late yesterday, investigators were alerted to this evidence by a man walking on property adjacent to the Ohio Turnpike, between mileposts 175 and 176 in Boston Township, south of Cleveland. The area is approximately 7 miles east of the crime scene.

Patrol investigators continue to urge anyone with information on this case to call the 1-866-678-8477 toll-free tip-line.

On May 13, Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers responded to a report of an injury on the Ohio Turnpike westbound, near milepost 164, in North Royalton. Upon arrival, troopers discovered Dr. Moonda had been shot in the head after a reported roadside robbery had occurred. Dr. Moonda, and Dorothy Smouse, 74, both of Hermitage, PA were passengers in a 2000 Jaguar being driven by his wife, Donna Moonda, 46, when they stopped along the Ohio Turnpike to change drivers. It was reported that during that change, an unknown suspect driving a dark colored van stopped with the victim and demanded money. The suspect carried out the robbery, shot Dr. Moonda, and fled the scene. Dr. Moonda died from an apparent single gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at the scene by LifeFlight EMS.

While no charges or arrests have been made in this case, investigators in Ohio and Pennsylvania are making progress and continue to follow leads, and analyze evidence.

The Dr. Moonda Reward Fund of $25,000 was established through a group consisting of family, friends, and Dr. Moonda’s local community. Reward criteria is, in part, for new information, which must be reported through the new toll-free tip-line. The fund is not being managed by the Ohio State Highway Patrol, and specific criteria for the reward are being established by the private group. Donations to the fund will be accepted only through First National Bank, One FNB Boulevard, Hermitage, PA, 16148.

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05-119


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