2003 Columbus, Ohio arson

2003 arson in Ohio 2003 Columbus, Ohio arson 4:00 AM 2003 4 13 yes 64 East 17th Avenue, Columbus, Ohio, United States 40.002306 -83.006701 Arson Unknown * Alan Schlessman (21) Kyle Raulin (20) Andrea Dennis (20) Erin DeMarco (19) Christine Wilson (19) 3House fire kills 5 students near Ohio State University https://www2.ljworld.com/news/2003/apr/14/house_fire_kills/ 23 September 2025 Lawrence Journal-World 14 April 2003 Robert Patterson None On 13 April 2003, a fire was set at a house in the University District of Columbus, Ohio, killing five university students (two from Ohio State University and three from Ohio University). Despite an arrest early on, the murders have remained unsolved. Events Prior to the fire, a party was being hosted at the house where 12 OSU students lived for the 21st birthday of Ohio State University student Alan Schlessman.Decade Later, Survivors Recall Deadly Unsolved OSU Blaze https://www.firehouse.com/home/news/10920339/decade-later-survivors-recall-deadly-unsolved-osu-blaze Firehouse 15 April 2013 23 September 2025 Around 200 people had attended the party, with 16 staying afterwards. Sometime during the night a fire was started at the front door of the house.Fecteau Olivia Still no answers 14 years after Ohio State University fatal fire https://www.nbc4i.com/news/still-no-answers-14-years-after-ohio-state-university-fatal-fire/ 23 September 2025 NBC4i 13 April 2017 Eight students managed to escape on their own while three more were rescued by the fire department through the back door when they arrived a 4:05. All five victims were found on the second floor of the house, and had died from carbon monoxide poisoning and smoke inhalation.Beck Traci Five die in 17th avenue blaze https://www.thelantern.com/2003/04/five-die-in-17th-avenue-blaze/ 23 September 2025 The Lantern 13 April 2003 Victims The five victims of the fire were: Alan Schlessman, OSU student from Sandusky, Ohio Kyle Raulin, OSU student from West Chester Township, Ohio Andrea Dennis, Ohio University student from Madeira, Ohio Erin DeMarco, Ohio University student from Canton, Ohio Christine Wilson, Ohio University student from Dublin, Ohio Suspect A vagrant with prior conviction, Robert Patterson was arrested four months after the fire.Arson deaths of 5 students unsolved 5 years later https://www.dispatch.com/story/news/2008/04/13/arson-deaths-5-students-unsolved/23840824007/ 23 September 2025 The Columbus Dispatch 13 April 2008 Investigators from the Columbus Police Department said that at some point Patterson had implicated himself in the crime. Despite this the charges were dropped by the prosecutor due to lack of evidence. References Category:Crime in Columbus, Ohio Category:Arson in Ohio Category:April 2003 crimes in the United States Category:2003 in Ohio Category:2003 mass murders Category:Building and structure arson attacks in the United States Category:Unsolved murders in Ohio Category:Unsolved arsons Category:Unsolved mass murders in the United States