On June 15, 2023, a horrific tragedy shook the small town of Monroe Township, Ohio, when Chad Doerman, a 32-year-old father of four, allegedly shot and killed his three sons, aged 3, 4, and 7, with a rifle. His wife, Laura Doerman, 34, and his stepdaughter, 14, survived the attack, but suffered serious injuries and trauma.
The motive behind the brutal crime remains unclear, but Chad Doerman reportedly confessed to planning the killings since October 2022. He is currently facing 21 charges, including nine counts of aggravated murder, eight counts of kidnapping, and four counts of felonious assault. He has pleaded not guilty and could face the death penalty if convicted.
A Family in Crisis
According to court documents and media reports, the Doerman family was going through a difficult time before the fatal incident. Chad and Laura Doerman had been married for about eight years, but their relationship was strained by financial problems, marital disputes, and mental health issues. Chad Doerman had a history of depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, and had been prescribed medication for his condition.
He had also been involved in several domestic violence incidents, and had been arrested for assaulting Laura Doerman in 2021. He had also threatened to kill himself and his family on multiple occasions, according to Laura’s statements to the police.
Laura had filed for divorce from Chad in May 2023, citing “extreme cruelty” and “gross neglect of duty” as the grounds for the dissolution of their marriage. She had also obtained a temporary restraining order against him, barring him from contacting her or their children, except for supervised visitation.
She had also moved out of their home and was staying with her parents, along with their three sons and her daughter from a previous relationship. However, she had agreed to let Chad see the children on Father’s Day, June 20, 2023, hoping to give them a chance to spend some time with their father.
Chad Doerman Quick Info
| Name | Chad Doerman |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 1991 |
| Place of birth | Cincinnati, Ohio, U.S. |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Nationality | American |
| Religion | Unknown |
| Occupation | Construction worker |
| Marital status | Separated from Laura Doerman |
| Children | Hunter Doerman (4, deceased) Clayton Doerman (7, deceased) Chase Doerman (3, deceased) Stepdaughter (14, survived) |
| Criminal charges | 9 counts of aggravated murder 8 counts of kidnapping 4 counts of felonious assault |
| Criminal status | Awaiting trial, pleaded not guilty |
| Motive | Unknown, possibly related to depression, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, marital problems, and resentment |
| Weapon | .22-caliber Marlin Model 70HC semi-automatic rifle |
| Date of incident | June 15, 2023 |
| Place of incident | Monroe Township, Clermont County, Ohio, U.S. |
| Victims | Hunter Doerman (4) Clayton Doerman (7) Chase Doerman (3) |
| Injured | Laura Doerman (34, wife) Stepdaughter (14) |
| Outcome | Three children killed, two survivors injured, suspect arrested and hospitalized |
| Sources | Instagram- #chaddoerman Homepage- Newsunzip |
A Day of Horror
On June 15, 2023, Laura Doerman and her four children went to visit Chad Doerman at his home, where he lived alone. According to his taped confession, he had planned to kill them all that day, and had prepared a rifle, a Martin Model HC .22, and several rounds of ammunition. He had also written a suicide note, stating that he loved his family, but could not live without them. He had also left instructions for his funeral arrangements, and had requested that his body be cremated and his ashes be scattered with his children’s.
He had asked Laura and their three sons to join him in the bedroom, where he said they could take a nap together. He then retrieved his rifle from under the bed, and shot his four-year-old son, Hunter, in the head. She tried to stop him, but he pushed her away and bit her hand. His other two sons, Clayton, 7, and Chase, 3, ran out of the room, screaming.
His stepdaughter, who was in another room, heard the gunshots and ran to the bedroom. She saw the blood and the bodies, and told the other children to run away. She then ran out of the house, followed by Clayton and Chase.
Chad Doerman chased after them, reloading his rifle. He caught up with Clayton in the woods behind the house, and shot him twice, once in the chest and once in the head. He then carried his body back to the house, and placed it next to Hunter’s. He then went after Chase, who had run back to the house, where Laura was trying to protect him. He fought with her , and shot her in the thumb, causing her to let go of Chase. He then shot Chase in the head, at point-blank range. He then carried his body to the bedroom, and laid it next to his brothers.
Meanwhile, his stepdaughter had reached the nearby fire station, where she alerted the firefighters about the shooting. She was bleeding from a gunshot wound to her leg, which she had sustained while running away from Chad Doerman. The firefighters called the police, and rushed to the scene. They found Laura Doerman, who was still alive, trying to resuscitate her children. They also found Chad , who was sitting on the floor, next to the bodies of his sons. He had the rifle in his hand, and a bullet wound in his chest, which he had inflicted on himself. He was still conscious, and told the firefighters, “I did it. I killed them.”
A Community in Shock
The news of the shooting sent shockwaves through the community, and the nation. The neighbors, friends, and relatives of the Doerman family expressed their grief, disbelief, and anger at the senseless act of violence. They described the children as sweet, smart, and loving, and said they had bright futures ahead of them. They also expressed their sympathy and support for Laura Doerman and her daughter, who had survived the ordeal, but had lost everything. They organized vigils, fundraisers, and memorial services for the victims, and offered prayers and condolences for the survivors.
The authorities, meanwhile, launched a thorough investigation into the case, and tried to determine the motive behind the killings. They searched Chad Doerman’s home, computer, phone, and social media accounts, and interviewed his family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors. They also examined his medical and criminal records, and his mental health history.
They found evidence that he had been planning the murders for months, and that he had been obsessed with the idea of killing his family and himself. They also found that he had been suffering from depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts, and that he had been taking medication for his condition. They also found that he had been abusive and controlling towards his wife, and that he had been angry and resentful about their divorce and the restraining order.
Chad Doerman was arrested and taken to the hospital, where he was treated for his self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was then transferred to the Clermont County Jail, where he was held on a $20 million bond. He was arraigned on June 18, 2023, and pleaded not guilty to 21 charges, including nine counts of aggravated murder, eight counts of kidnapping, and four counts of felonious assault. He was appointed a public defender, who requested a competency evaluation for him.
He was also ordered to undergo a psychiatric evaluation, to determine if he was sane at the time of the killings. He is currently awaiting trial, which is scheduled to begin in April 2024. The prosecution is seeking the death penalty for him, while the defense is expected to argue that he was mentally ill and not responsible for his actions.
Where is Laura Doerman Now?
Laura Doerman, the wife of Chad Doerman, and the mother of his three slain sons, is still recovering from the physical and emotional wounds of the tragic incident. She was hospitalized for several days, and underwent surgery for her gunshot injury. She was also treated for shock, grief, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She was released from the hospital on June 22, 2023, and went to stay with her parents, along with her daughter.
She has been receiving counseling, therapy, and support from her family, friends, and the community. She has also been cooperating with the authorities, and has given her testimony and evidence against her husband. She is expected to appear in court as a witness for the prosecution, and to face her husband for the first time since the shooting.
Laura Doerman has not spoken publicly about the incident, and has requested privacy and respect from the media and the public. She has also expressed her gratitude and appreciation for the outpouring of love and kindness that she and her daughter have received from the people who knew and cared for her sons. She has also said that she is trying to heal and move on with her life, but that she will never forget or forgive her husband for what he did. She has also said that she hopes that he will be held accountable and punished for his crimes, and that justice will be served for her sons.
