Police catch alleged serial killer after woman's 911 call

KTRK logo
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Suspected serial killer arrested
A woman's 911 call led police to a vacant home where a man was holding her captive. Two bodies were also in the home

ASHLAND, OH (KTRK) -- Police have released chilling 911 calls from a woman trapped by a suspected serial killer in Ohio.

The woman told police she'd been abducted and the man who had done it was sleeping just feet away. She said he was holed up a vacant house and had a Taser.

Through whispers, the woman led police to 40-year-old Shawn Grate, who police say has confessed to murder.

The woman says she is tied up, but has partially freed herself.

When asked whether she can get out of the house, she says, "I don't know without waking him and I'm scared."

According to the victim, Grate had fallen asleep, and that's when she took a chance getting a hold of his phone and calling 911 -- all while he was just a few feet away.

At one point in the call she says, "I'm in the bedroom with him."

A few minutes later, police arrived at the Ashland, Ohio house.

The operator says, "If you think you can get out, you need to get out."

The woman says, "Not unless they were right here. He would hear me, catch me and he's strong."

Police entered the home to find two bodies inside and the 911 caller miraculously unharmed.

Grate was still sleeping when police arrived. They woke him up and took him into custody. Police say he confessed to another murder, leading them to the body of a person who had been missing since June.