Ohio House Passes "Katelyn's Law"

State Representatives Jennifer Gross (R-West Chester) and Josh Williams (R-Sylvania Twp.) announced the recent passage of House Bill 459, ‘Katelyn’s Law,’ legislation aimed at strengthening accountability for those who conceal human remains.

House Bill 459 removes the statute of limitations for abuse of a corpse, allowing prosecutors to pursue charges regardless of how much time has passed, and creates a new third-degree felony offense for moving or concealing human remains with the intent to obstruct justice or prevent the discovery of a crime, a death, the cause of death, or the remains themselves. The legislation would help ensure offenders cannot evade responsibility by delaying the discovery of a victim’s remains and would provide a stronger path to justice for grieving families.

“Katelyn’s Law honors Katelyn’s memory, stands with her loved ones, and ensures that those who conceal human remains cannot simply wait out the clock to escape accountability,” said Rep. Gross, joint sponsor of the bill. “In Ohio, we protect the truth, we protect the innocent, and we will never allow the guilty to erase their crimes.”

“There is no statute of limitations on justice. I am a proud sponsor of House Bill 459 because it gives Ohio families a better opportunity to see accountability pursued, no matter how long it takes,” said Rep. Williams, who jointly sponsored the bill.

The bill is named for Katelyn Markham, a young woman from Fairfield, Ohio whose fiancé killed her and concealed her body along a roadside. The delay in discovering her remains significantly hindered the investigation and prolonged the pain for her loved ones. More than a decade passed before charges were brought, and the perpetrator ultimately pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and received a three-year prison sentence. Because of Ohio’s statute of limitations, prosecutors were unable to charge him with abuse of a corpse despite evidence that he had hidden Katelyn’s remains.

The bill passed with bipartisan support and now goes to the Senate for further consideration.