Staff report

A Stow woman was fatally shot inside her home Saturday in what police say was a murder-suicide involving her boyfriend, a Summit County sheriff’s deputy.

Officers responding to a report of a possible suicide at 3:57 p.m. Jan. 27 discovered the bodies of Latoia Renee Philpott, 41, and Benjamin Asiedu, 43, inside a residence in the 4100 block of Meadowlark Trail, according to the Stow Police Department.

The Summit County Medical Examiner’s Office ruled Philpott’s death a homicide, stating she had been shot six times. Asiedu died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Family members found the bodies after repeated attempts to contact Philpott were unsuccessful, police said.

Philpott, a mother of five, including three adults and two minors, had been dating Asiedu for about a year. Asiedu, who had one daughter, was hired as a sheriff’s deputy in 2023 and assigned to the Summit County Jail, according to the sheriff’s office.

“It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, sister, daughter, and friend, Latoia Philpott," her family said in a statement issued through the police department. "At this time, we ask for privacy as we navigate this difficult loss and make arrangements. We are truly grateful for the love, support, and condolences we have already received from friends, family, community and local law enforcement during this incredibly challenging time.”

This marks the third homicide in Stow since August and the second murder-suicide, bringing the death toll in those cases to five, including three Stow residents.

The Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Stow police continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call Stow PD at 330-689-5770.