CALDWELL - The estranged boyfriend of a Caldwell woman was formally charged Monday with her murder, according to the Noble County Sheriff's Office.
Tracy L. Kay, 46, of Caldwell, was found dead in her apartment Saturday night. The sheriff's office believes she was shot to death, but the Stark County Coroner's Office is performing an autopsy to determine the official cause of death.
A news release from the sheriff's office said authorities received a call from Kay's daughter Saturday evening, who advised that her mother had asked her to call the police after entering her Cumberland Street apartment Saturday night and finding her ex, Larry A. Schoeppner, 34, of Belle Valley, inside.
Noble County Sheriff Stephen Hannum, two deputies and two Caldwell Police officers responded to the scene. Upon arrival, law enforcement heard gun shots coming from inside the apartment and found the door locked.
Schoeppner soon surrendered himself to authorities, according to the release.
United Ambulance was called to the scene, but Kay could not be revived and Noble County Coroner Dr. Alan Spencer pronounced her dead at the scene.
Schoeppner is being held at the Noble County Jail on a $1 million bond. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for Oct. 10 and a special grand jury will likely be scheduled for early October.
