In a bizarre and macabre turn of events reminiscent of a Hollywood plot, two women from Ohio found themselves in hot water after allegedly orchestrating an elaborate scheme involving a deceased man and a drive-thru ATM.
The individuals in question, Karen Casbohm, aged 63, and Loreen Bea Feralo, aged 55, have been apprehended and are facing severe legal repercussions for their alleged actions, including charges of gross abuse of a corpse and theft from a person in a protected class.
The saga unfolded in Ashtabula, Ohio, where authorities were alerted to the unusual circumstances by the staff at Ashtabula County Medical Center (ACMC). On Monday, March 4, the medical center received an unexpected delivery – the body of an elderly man, accompanied by two unidentified women.
Casbohm and Feralo, as later identified, left the facility promptly without divulging any information about the deceased or themselves.
However, a subsequent phone call from one of the women to the hospital staff provided some personal details about the deceased, ultimately leading to the identification of the man as 80-year-old Douglas Layman.
Upon learning the identity of the deceased, law enforcement officers proceeded to Layman’s residence, where they encountered Casbohm and Feralo.
Despite residing in Layman’s home, the women had no familial relationship with him. According to police reports, the duo claimed to have discovered Layman’s lifeless body earlier that day and, with the assistance of an unidentified third party, placed his corpse in the passenger seat of his vehicle.
Their motive, allegedly, was to carry out a visit to the bank, where they proceeded to withdraw funds from Layman’s account.
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What makes this narrative particularly unsettling is the manner in which Layman’s body was positioned in the car. Authorities assert that Casbohm and Feralo arranged Layman’s remains in such a way as to make them conspicuous to bank staff, effectively ensuring that tellers witnessed his presence during the transaction.
Ashtabula Police Chief Robert Stell described the scene as the deceased being “propped up” in the passenger seat, a move presumably intended to facilitate the withdrawal. Stell noted that such an arrangement had been allowed by the bank on previous occasions, provided Layman was accompanied by the women.
The audacity and novelty of this case have left law enforcement officials astounded. Chief Stell, with nearly three decades of experience in law enforcement, admitted that he had never encountered a situation quite like this. Similarly, Ashtabula County Prosecuting Attorney Cecilia Cooper expressed disbelief, emphasizing that such scenarios typically exist solely within the realm of fiction.
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In the wake of their arrest, Casbohm and Feralo have made court appearances to face the charges brought against them. Casbohm, having appeared for her arraignment, had her bond set at $5,000, while Feralo is scheduled for arraignment on March 14. If convicted on both counts, the women could face up to two years in prison.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with pertinent information to come forward and assist in shedding light on the circumstances surrounding this peculiar incident. Those with relevant details are encouraged to contact the police at 440-992-7126.
In conclusion, the saga of Casbohm and Feralo’s alleged exploits serves as a chilling reminder of the depths to which desperation can drive individuals. The manipulation of a deceased man’s body for financial gain underscores the brazenness of their actions and the disregard for human dignity. As this case unfolds, it stands as a testament to the ingenuity of law enforcement in unraveling even the most perplexing of mysteries.
