A 24-year-old man is in custody in Michigan today after reportedly murdering his parents in their Ohio home and attempting to flee across the Canadian border.
Maxwell Anatra is facing murder charges after a multi-agency probe that spanned two states and an international crossing. The Crawford County Sheriff’s Office reported that Anatra was detained by Canadian officials at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday after detectives identified him as a flight risk.
The investigation started earlier that day in Crestline, a hamlet located between Cleveland and Columbus. A coworker of Lisa Anatra, 61, contacted police to request a welfare check, stating that she had missed work and that blood was visible at her home.
When deputies arrived at the residence on the 700 block of North Henry Street, they located the bodies of Lisa Anatra inside the house and her husband, 63-year-old Matthew Anatra, inside a detached garage. Authorities have yet to reveal the exact cause of death.
According to the Sheriff’s Office, family members stated that Maxwell had been at the house the night before. As officers investigated the area, they discovered that the suspect had traveled to Michigan and intended to flee the country.
Working with the Department of Homeland Security, agents obtained an arrest warrant just as Anatra attempted to cross the border into Canada.
Anatra is still in custody in St. Clair County, Michigan. Authorities are actively working for his extradition back to Ohio to face charges.