A 45-year-old Ohio man is facing up to life in prison after pleading guilty to the murder of an 81-year-old Lancaster man — a beloved community figure known for his generosity — following a yard work job that turned fatal.
John Thomas Scott pleaded guilty last week to murder, abuse of a corpse and tampering with evidence in the killing of Gary Franke at his South Maple Street home in Lancaster, located approximately 30 miles southeast of Columbus. A judge is expected to sentence Scott to between 18 years and life in prison at a hearing yet to be scheduled.
Lancaster police responded in the early morning hours of Aug. 9 to Franke’s home in the 700 block of South Maple Street after receiving a missing person report. Officers discovered Franke dead in a wooded area on the property, having suffered a fatal gunshot wound.
Investigators later established that Scott had performed yard work for Franke the day before the killing. After waiving his Miranda rights, Scott admitted to the crime, telling detectives that following the yard work, he made the decision to rob Franke and killed him in the process. Scott initially fled the scene but returned later with his girlfriend, Holly McDaniel. The pair then buried Franke’s body beneath brush in the wooded area of the property.
Both Scott and McDaniel were taken into custody the following day. McDaniel faces charges of tampering with evidence and obstructing justice. Her case is still pending.
Authorities told local CBS affiliate WBNS that Franke and Scott had known each other for more than 30 years, making the betrayal all the more devastating for those who knew the victim.
Franke was widely remembered as a pillar of his community. Neighbors recalled him donating to charity and letting neighborhood children ride on his golf cart. Longtime neighbor Troy Seiple described Franke’s commitment to helping people rebuild their lives.
“He would try to get them started back in their life, their credit right, get them started back and going again,” Seiple told WBNS. “He was really proud about that.”
That spirit was captured in Franke’s obituary, which painted a portrait of a man who gave freely and without reservation.
“Known for his kindness and generosity, Gary often bought meals for those in need and provided them with work on his real estate properties. He believed deeply in second chances, even when they came with risk. Gary felt that everyone deserved the opportunity to turn their life around.”
Franke is also remembered for his charitable giving and warm presence in the neighborhood. A sentencing date for Scott has not yet been announced.
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