Suspect in Barnesville Murder Dead, Kidnap Victim Safe
ST. CLAIRSVILLE -- Agencies announced the resolution of a kidnapping and murder case Wednesday. Beginning close to Thanksgiving, the hunt crossed numerous states and ended in the death of the suspect and wounding of a federal officer. The kidnap victim, Nicole Bronowski of Cuyahoga Falls, is safe.
Belmont County Sheriff David Lucas was visibly emotional when he confirmed the homicide of 69-year-old Norma Matko, reportedly shot in her Barnesville home. Lucas, who is from Barnesville, said he knew the family involved.
"We had a murder last Thursday, Thanksgiving Day," Lucas said. "It was one of our local residents."
The suspect, James Edward Hawley, also known as Ahmad Ben David, is believed to have kidnapped Bronowski last Wednesday, then traveled to Barnesville where he allegedly killed Matko, who was reported dead Thursday. Matko's car was later found burned in Cleveland, and Hawley was found in Louisiana.
"We were worried about the daughter, but the daughter's safe," Lucas said.
Lucas said there had apparently been a relationship between Hawley and Bronowski at one point.
Police Chief Jack Davis of the Cuyahoga Falls Police Department said they were notified Thursday of a missing person and were contacted by Belmont County law enforcement of Matko's murder.
"We knew right away it was important to find this person," Davis said. "From the get-go our detectives just worked non-stop, working with the Belmont County investigators and then the federal investigators to finally locate the daughter. ... She's been through a lot."
Jeff Fortunato, assistant special agent in charge of the FBI Cleveland office, elaborated.
"The investigations remain open to ensure there are no other individuals involved with these horrific crimes, but we do believe that there is no immediate threat to the community," Fortunato said. "We are very much interested in learning the 'why' behind the violent acts and any ideologies of the person involved."
He also thanked the Cleveland police and New Orleans office of the FBI for their assistance.
"Law enforcement was able to determine the fleeing suspect's location. He was traveling with the abducted victim. They were finally put down (and) located at a hotel in Pineville, Louisiana," he said, adding law enforcement from a variety of agencies including Belmont County detectives investigated in Louisiana.
Fortunato said Hawley had made numerous posts of himself with firearms on social media and stated that he wanted to "kill some cops."
When asked to expound, Fortunato said he did not believe Hawley was a member of any organization.
He said Hawley was fatally shot when officers attempted to execute an arrest warrant for threatening communications and being a felon in possession of firearms. An FBI agent was also wounded and is undergoing treatment.
He and Lucas commended the work of local police and deputies, who worked together and with federal agents.
"They worked diligent, day after day, hour after hour, to bring this to a conclusion. It was nothing but really hard work," Lucas said.
"I've never seen a better display of boots on the ground teamwork like the sheriff mentioned, not just here but in New Orleans," Fortunato said.
Lucas said many details will not be revealed in the ongoing investigation.
"The homicide is solved. Our main thing now is the family and the victims and supporting them," Lucas said.
Matko was a retired nurse from Wheeling Hospital. She was a member of the Barnesville Assumption Church, Barnesville Rotary Club, and an Auxiliary member of the American Legion Post 159.