Hamilton County Coroner Lakshmi Sammarco said the death of 7-year-old William Evans-Ellis, found bound in a bedroom closet at a Madison Road home in Oakley on Aug. 6, reminded her of one of Cincinnati's most notorious child abuse tragedies.

"There are some eerie similarities, and that's what bothered me about going to the scene," Sammarco said at a Aug. 11 press conference, reported by WVXU, referring to the 2006 death of Marcus Fiesel.

Fiesel was a 3-year-old foster child who died of hyperthermia after his foster parents, Liz and David Carroll, bound him in a blanket and packing tape and left him locked in a closet for two days in Clermont County. The Carrolls burned his remains and staged his disappearance, prompting a massive community search. Liz Carroll was sentenced to 54 years to life; David Carroll received 15 years to life.

The case led to 55 recommended changes to Ohio's foster care system, including enhanced background checks, increased training and more frequent home visits for foster families. Lifeway for Youth, the private agency that placed Fiesel with the Carrolls, had its state license revoked in 2007.

Both cases involve a young child bound and confined in a closet after prolonged abuse. Sammarco did not elaborate publicly on which specific parallels she was drawing beyond those shared elements.

Testing still underway

As we reported Aug. 11, Sammarco determined Evans-Ellis died of blunt force trauma to the head. He also had a broken upper arm bone, numerous bruises of varying ages and additional head wounds. His body was bound so he could not move, though there was no tape over his mouth.

Toxicology, DNA and pathology testing remain ongoing. The coroner's office is still waiting to receive the boy's medical records. Sammarco said lung tissue was still being tested and pathologists were investigating whether small marks on his body may be burns. She also said her office has not ruled out sexual abuse and that DNA testing is part of that process.

Despite the injuries, Evans-Ellis was in the 50th percentile for weight and height and appeared fairly well nourished.

'None of it makes any sense'

Sammarco, who has served as Hamilton County coroner for more than 14 years, called the case one of the top 10 worst scenes her office has responded to. Investigators found firearms and ammunition in the home, along with a room containing Legos and other toys.

When asked at the press conference what she made of finding children's toys in the same home where a child was tortured, Sammarco said that after more than 14 years on the job, none of it makes sense to her, according to WLWT's coverage of the same press conference.

All three lived in the home.

Three people have been indicted on 13 counts each, including aggravated murder and conspiracy: the boy's mother, Kaitlin Evans; Kirby Rankin; and Nessa Keaney. Investigators said at arraignment hearings on Saturday, Aug. 8 that Evans-Ellis suffered months of abuse, including water and burn torture, blunt force injuries and beatings.

Evans-Ellis's grandparents said the last time they saw him was July 12, when he appeared to be in good shape with only a small bruise on his shoulder. They had begun pursuing legal avenues to ensure his safety after his mother limited their weekend visits.

A competency hearing for Rankin is scheduled for early September. No trial date has been set.