NEWS RELEASE

April 12, 2026

On April 10, 2026 at approximately 12:29 PM the Darke County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call reporting a house fire at 2723 Zumbrum Road northwest of the Village of Ansonia, OH. Ansonia Fire Department, Ansonia Rescue and numerous fire and rescue agencies responded to the call. Fire personnel arrived on the scene to find the house engulfed in fire. During firefighting operations, fire personnel discovered the body of a deceased adult female inside the house. Darke County Deputies, Darke County Coroner’s Investigator and the Ohio State Fire Marshal’s Office responded to the scene.

The victim was transported to the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office for a forensic exam and testing. Based on a high degree of probability, the victim is believed to be the resident of the home, Ericka M. Kramer (50). It has been confirmed that Kramer was in the home minutes before the fire. Darke County Coroner, Dr. Susan Brown has ruled the manner of death as homicide. Positive identification is anticipated in the coming days pending further scientific testing.

A multidisciplinary team of investigators have been working this case over the last three days. On the afternoon of April 12, 2026 Darke County Detectives arrested Peyton W. Beam (22) of rural Ansonia, OH in connection with this homicide and fire. He is being held in the Darke County Jail pending formal charges for Aggravated Murder and Aggravated Arson.

This case remains under investigation.

Mark Whittaker
Darke County Sheriff
937-548-3399