OHIO TEEN ACCUSED OF ORCHESTRATING HER MOTHER’S MURDER — AND THE VICTIM ONCE WROTE ABOUT HOMICIDAL TEENS

DELAWARE, OHIO — A shocking Ohio murder investigation has taken an unexpected turn after an 18-year-old woman was accused of helping orchestrate the killing of her own mother — a doctor who had once co-authored an academic paper examining violent and homicidal adolescents.

Tamela D. Dutcher, 55, was fatally shot inside her Delaware, Ohio, home shortly after midnight on August 14, according to the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office. She was transported to a hospital but died several hours later.

Three people are now facing murder charges in connection with the case: Tamela’s daughter, Bryanna Dutcher, 18, along with Bryanna’s boyfriend, Christian Evans, 20, and Evans’ roommate, Dajameous Payne, 21.

A FAMILY ARGUMENT BEFORE THE SHOOTING

According to an affidavit cited by ABC 6, investigators say Bryanna had argued with her mother about cleaning hours before the fatal shooting.

Bryanna allegedly later discussed the confrontation with Evans. Investigators say Evans responded with a chilling statement suggesting that, if he were in her position, he would have killed her.

Prosecutors now allege that the killing was not spontaneous.

Text messages recovered during the investigation reportedly indicate that the three suspects had discussed and planned the murder beforehand. Bryanna, however, has denied being involved in the planning.

A MOTHER WHO HAD WRITTEN ABOUT HOMICIDAL TEENAGERS

One of the most disturbing details of the case involves Tamela’s professional background.

Years before her daughter was born, Tamela co-authored a 2002 academic paper examining adolescent violence and homicide.

The paper discussed differences between male and female juvenile offenders and noted that female offenders were more likely to target members of their own families.

It also called for early interventions, including approaches involving creative activities and cognitive behavioral therapy.

Now, investigators allege that Tamela herself became the victim of a violent crime allegedly involving her teenage daughter.

A CLAIMED FAMILY SECRET

Investigators also say Bryanna told them that her parents did not know about her relationship with Evans because she believed they strongly disapproved of the relationship and would have forced her to leave the home.

Authorities are continuing to examine the circumstances surrounding that relationship and whether it played a role in the alleged motive.

But at this stage, prosecutors’ allegations remain just that — allegations.

Bryanna has denied involvement in planning her mother’s killing, and all three defendants remain entitled to the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty in court.

THREE SUSPECTS, ONE FAMILY TRAGEDY

Bryanna was initially arrested on an obstruction-of-justice charge before being charged with murder.

Evans and Payne were arrested on murder charges shortly after Tamela’s death.

Court records show all three suspects have been placed under house arrest with GPS monitoring. Their bonds were each set at $300,000.

As investigators continue piecing together the final hours of Tamela Dutcher’s life, the case has left a particularly haunting question hanging over the investigation:

How did a disagreement inside a family allegedly turn into a plan to take a mother’s life?

And perhaps most tragically, the woman at the center of the story had spent part of her professional life studying how violence can emerge among young people.

Now, her own death has placed that subject at the heart of a case that has shocked an Ohio community.

The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the three defendants have not been proven in court.