Two Ohio men, Walter Edward Wade (44) and Rick Sheppard (47), now face federal charges for their roles in hiding the body of 28-year-old pregnant woman Brittany Fuhr-Storms after her overdose death. Their state trials were canceled as federal charges take precedence: conspiracy to obstruct justice, concealing evidence for an official proceeding, and accessory after the fact.
Key Details from the Affidavit
- Discovery: Fuhr-Storms’ body was found August 3, 2025, in a ratchet-strapped storage tote in Montgomery County, Ohio. She was wrapped in a blue tarp; her baby (delivered post-mortem) was inside with her, wrapped in a towel.
- Cause of Death: Autopsy showed drugs like fentanyl, methamphetamine, and ethanol in her system (and the baby’s). No signs of violence; death undetermined but linked to overdose around July 18, 2025.
- Sequence of Events:
- She overdosed in an unnamed man’s apartment (where James Rothenbusch, 52, later pleaded guilty to evidence tampering and got 30 months).
- The man and Sheppard tried reviving her with Narcan, chest compressions, and breaths. She briefly seemed responsive, but they left her alone.
- Sheppard took charge, called Wade for a “clean out.” They loaded the body into a 55-gallon tote Sheppard bought urgently via Facebook Marketplace (searched July 23).
- Wade was told en route it contained a body but didn’t call authorities.
- Admissions: Both men confessed post-arrest to not calling 911 and helping dispose of the body.
Legal Status
They’re set for trial in the Southern District of Ohio. This escalates from state charges, focusing on federal obstruction crimes. Rothenbusch’s plea shows ongoing investigation into the apartment.
Tragic case highlighting overdose risks—fentanyl’s involved again. Stay safe out there. Any specific angle on this story you’re curious about, like similar cases or Ohio drug stats?
