Gwendolyn Fay Smith dies in fatal Bedford Township shooting

Gwendolyn Fay Smith dies in fatal Bedford Township shooting

Fatal Bedford Township shooting death of Gwendolyn Fay Smith

Authorities in Monroe County are investigating the deaths of 17-year-old Gwendolyn Fay Smith and 33-year-old Ryne Jacob Leist, both of Temperance, who were found deceased inside a residence over the weekend.

Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriff’s Office discovered their bodies on Saturday at a home located in the 1600 block of West Sterns Road near Jackman Road in Bedford Township. Both individuals were pronounced dead at the scene.

Autopsies are currently being conducted by the Lucas County Coroner’s Office in Ohio, and investigators are awaiting results to determine the exact causes of death.

In a statement, the sheriff’s office said detectives are conducting a thorough investigation and reassured the public that there is no known danger to the broader community.

Gwendolyn, a recent graduate of Bedford Public Schools, was remembered by Superintendent Carl Shultz as a remarkable student with achievements across academics, arts, and athletics. She participated in the school’s music programs and excelled on the bowling team.

Shultz noted that Gwen’s legacy would live on through the kindness, warmth, and joy she brought to others. Her passing, described as both tragic and inexplicable, has deeply impacted the local community.

A GoFundMe campaign has been created to support her family, and as of Tuesday morning, it had raised over $14,500 toward an $18,000 goal.